Colossians 3 - 1000 Days Of Searching The Scriptures Pastor Chidi Okorie Episode 960 - SendMe Radio

honoursTitle: Living the New Life in Christ: Insights from Colossians 3<br /><br />Colossians 3, a part of Paul's epistle to the Colossians, is a powerful chapter that encapsulates the essence of Christian living in the light of the believer's new identity in Christ. It moves from the theological to the practical, outlining how the life-transforming truth of the Gospel should manifest in everyday behaviour. The Heavenly Focus of the Believer (Colossians 3:1-4)The chapter begins with an exhortation to set one's heart and mind on things above, not on earthly things. <br /><br />This is premised on the understanding that believers have been raised with Christ, and therefore, their life should reflect a heavenly orientation. The focus is not merely on the future when Christ returns but on the present reality of living a life hidden with Christ in God. The Call to Put Off the Old Self (Colossians 3:5-11)Paul urges believers to put to death whatever belongs to their earthly nature, listing behaviours like sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which he equates with idolatry.<br /><br />This 'putting to death' signifies a decisive break from the sinful patterns characteristic of one’s life before knowing Christ. Paul also addresses anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language, advocating for a complete shedding of the 'old self' with its practices. The New Self in Christ (Colossians 3:12-17)In contrast to the old self, Paul describes the new self, as renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. This renewal is marked by virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and above all, love. The unity of the body of Christ is emphasized here, where Christ is all and in all, transcending social and cultural divisions. The peace of Christ is to rule in the believers' hearts, and the word of Christ is to dwell in them richly, guiding their wisdom and teaching. <br /><br />Christian Households (Colossians 3:18-4:1)Paul then applies these principles to the context