Day 181 – Wednesday, September 10, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

Colossians 3

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

Not Carnality but Christ

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

⁵ Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, ⁷ in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

⁸ But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, ¹⁰ and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, ¹¹ where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. 

(Colossians 3:1–11, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul went on to discuss being raise with Christ further in this chapter. In response to that blessing, Christians should seek things above, set their minds on heavenly goals and rewards. Be hidden in Christ so that you may appear with Him in glory.
• Paul urged the Colossians to put to death the unruly members of their sin: sexual sin, impurity, lust, evil thoughts toward others, jealousy, idolatry.
• He went on to name anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, lying, etc. You have put off the old man, so don’t take him back again. Imitate Him who gave you His image. He leveled the field for all men and women. Let Christ be everything in everything.

Character of the New Man

¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 

(Colossians 3:12–17, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• In place of the sinful actions Paul told the Colossians to lay aside, Paul names many positive and holy actions to espouse: mercy, kindness, humility, selflessness, patience with others, bearing one another up, forgiving. He named love as the primary act of holiness.
• He told them to let God’s peace rule in their hearts, calling them to unity. They were to be thankful!
• Paul made it clear that Christians are to know the word, teaching the word, sing the word, extending grade, and all to the glory of the Lord.
• He also instructed them to have proper motivation: whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus and for His glory.

The Christian Home

¹⁸ Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

²² Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. 

(Colossians 3:18–25, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• The last section of this chapter deals with the Christian home, much in the way that Ephesians did. It is a condensed version, but nevertheless carried the same message.
• Wives are to submit to their own husbands.
• Husbands are to love their wives.
• Children are to obey their parents.
• Parents are not to provoke their children.
• Bondservants are to obey their masters in sincerity.
• The first verse of chapter four calls on masters to give their servants what is fair. Not sure why it is in the next chapter.

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.