Faith without religion.
Colossians 3: Heavenly Priorities and New Nature
In our recent study, we transitioned from Colossians chapter 2 to chapter 3, where Paul shifts focus from what believers should avoid to what they should actively pursue. Paul begins by urging believers to set their affections on things above, emphasizing the importance of heavenly priorities over earthly distractions. He encourages the mortification of earthly desires such as fornication, impurity, and covetousness, which he equates to idolatry.
Paul’s message is clear: believers are to put away anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk, as these are remnants of the old nature. Instead, they are to embrace the new nature, characterized by compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Forgiveness, love, and peace are central to this new life, binding everything together in perfect harmony.
The apostle also highlights the importance of letting the word of Christ dwell richly within, encouraging teaching, admonishing, and singing with thankfulness. In all actions, believers are to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father.
Paul’s teachings, while rooted in the context of his time, resonate with believers today, reminding us to prioritize spiritual growth and heavenly values amidst the demands of the material world. The call to live a life hidden with Christ in God challenges us to examine our motivations and align our lives with the eternal truths of the gospel.
