The passage before us comes from the section, 3:1-4:6, where Paul the apostle deals with the Christian life. The passage deals with the practical application of a life lived under the grace of God, a life which is the product of being "in Christ." In this section, Paul introduces the image of the "old man" and the "new man." The old man is the old Adam and is to be put off like the putting off of old clothing. The image is of the putting off of moral evils. The new man is the new Adam, the renewed man, the new creation. This is to be put on like the putting on of new clothing. The image is of the putting on of moral good. This moral good images Christ, v10, and is expressed in unity/love in the church, v11.

v1-4. Paul restates his theology and draws a general ethical conclusion:

i] "You have been raised." That is, you are alive to righteousness, therefore set your hearts and minds on things above. Think on these things - of love, of the fruits of the Spirit. Desire love.

ii] "You died." That is, you died to sin, therefore do no set your minds on earthly things. Abhor evil. Paul is not telling us to renounce the enjoyment of the creation, rather to renounce evil.

v5-11. Paul continues, given that we are identified with Christ in his death and resurrection, then we should express this reality by abhorring evil. Paul defines the evil we should flee from in two lists. Greater sins, and lesser sins:

i] Sexual evils, v5-7. Paul lists sexual evils, which evils serve as the most destructive in human relationships. "Greed" is better understood as "covetousness", which in this context, concerns coveting another's wife or husband.

ii] Lesser evils, v8-11. Paul then goes on to list evils which destroy trust in relationships, particularly within the Christian fellowship.

There's a great line from a movie where two African Americans are walking past a whites-only church in America, and one of them says, "I've been trying to get into that church since I was a kid". The other bloke responds by saying, "That's nothing, Jesus has been trying to get in there for a lot longer and he hasn't gotten in yet."

The church is a bit sick. We're suffering from lack of care. We don't love, and we're not loved. The church is hurting. Most believers have witnessed a congregation brawling over some trivial issue like the color of the church carpet. Divisions and party spirit are ever increasing problems with new ministries. Hurt, grief, anger, dashed expectations, frustration, fear.... a mass of emotions. Hurting churches, hurting people, hurting each other. Why is it so?

We all know the basic problem is sin. As Luther said, "The old Adam retains his power until he is deposited in the grave". The Bible clears up any doubt when it says, "all sin and fall short of the glory of God."
      Yet, sin runs out of control in the life of a congregation when we fail to apply the profound theology summed up in Paul's words, "Christ is all, and is in all":

First, selfishness takes hold where there is little or no community. Paul's new Adam, the new creation, the new people of God; was one people where there was "no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free." Does this image the church today?

Second, selfishness takes hold in the life of God's people where there is a failure to recognize the completeness we already have in Christ. Through faith in Christ we "have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." As far as God is concerned, we are as Christ is. Yet, that is not the popular view. Many believers have forgotten that they "have been raised with Christ."

Third, there are the practical issues of morality that Paul raises. Sexual immorality stands foremost as the greatest danger confronting the fellowship of believers. Sexuality is the most intimate expression of knowing another and so to misuse it is to interfere with the knowing of God and of each other. Then there is behaviour which destroys trust. Hurtful violence in words, malice, abusive speech and lying. All destructive of our fellowship, all undermining the very nature of church as a community of believers.

Verses 1 through 4 of Colossians chapter 3 identifies where the substance of our life resides. Our being is hidden with the risen Christ in the heavenlies and therefore, our minds should be focused on that reality rather than the push and shove of church politics. It is because of our standing with the risen Lord that Paul says "put to death, therefore,.......", be what we are.
      "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace", Col.3:15.

1. What does it mean to "set your hearts on things above"? v1

2. "You died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Explain this Easter message. v3.

3. "Greed (covetousness) which is idolatry." What is meant by greed?

4. In what sense have we "died" with Christ and have been "raised" with Christ?