The book of Colossians is about spiritual growth and maturity in Christ (Colossians 1:9-10). Growing in Christ involves growing in our understanding of Christ’s identity (Colossians 1:13-18). It involves understanding that Jesus is King, God, firstborn over all creation, and the Redeemer of our souls.

It also involves developing a new identity after receiving spiritual circumcision through baptism (Colossians 2:11-13). After experiencing baptism, we must transform and become new people in Christ (Colossians 3:10-11). We are supposed to look different and be different!

This spiritual process of renewal involves two critical things.

New Thinking

  • We must avoid adding to the gospel’s requirements for “holiness” (Colossians 2:16-23).
  • We must constantly focus on heaven (Colossians 3:1-4).
  • This will impact our priorities. It will motivate us to do daily Bible reading, prayer, and evangelism. It will also encourage us to live in a way that meets heaven’s approval.
  • A heaven-focused mindset will also impact how we view ourselves. It will keep us constantly aware of the new identity that we have been given in Christ.
  • Thinking properly about how God sees us will filter every part of our lives!

New Living

  • We must put off the old sinful lifestyle (Colossians 3:5-9). We must kill immorality, impurity, evil desire, and greed (Colossians 3:5).
  • We must put off uncontrolled anger, bitterness, wrath, malice, and filthy language (Colossians 3:8).
  • Sinful works put us on a path to receive God’s wrath (Colossians 3:6). They are part of the “old self” that must be laid aside after baptism (Colossians 3:9)
  • We must put on a new righteous life (Colossians 3:10-25). This requires changing and walking in the footsteps of the Master (1 Corinthians 11:1).
  • It is not enough to stop sinning as a Christian. We must also engage in good works! These works include humility, compassion, kindness, patience, and forgiveness (Colossians 3:12-13).
  • We must have a passion for worshipping God and submitting to His authority (Colossians 3:16-17).
  • We must have integrity in all of the relationships we are blessed to have (Colossians 3:18-25).
  • We must devote ourselves to prayer and conduct ourselves with wisdom when interacting with people in the world (Colossians 4:2-6).

Conclusion:

Have you experienced renewal in Christ?