Dr. Adrian Todd Colossians 3:1-17 Keep seeking… Chapter 1:13-22 is (for me) the key passage. It sets out a vision of who Jesus is. Everything else stems from this vision. God’s purpose in Christ is to produce truly human beings, “made in His image”. The current passage gives us more detail of what that looks like, With a strong emphasis on how we relate to one another.
Dr. Adrian Todd Colossians 31: * For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14* in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15* He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16* For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18* He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19* For it was the Father ’ s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20* and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21* And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22* yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach--
Dr. Adrian Todd The Way of Life, Rules or Love? The Law and rules are but a shadow Jesus is the substance (2:17) Setting our mind on the things above (3:2) Jesus seated at the right hand (3:1)of the Father speaks of His crucifixion, His resurrection, His intercession, His authority, His majesty… Who Jesus is and what He has done We need to be reminded who we are in Christ
Dr. Adrian Todd What is our motivation? Fear of punishment? Missing out on heaven? Or a passion for our Lord Jesus Christ Our Christian life is not a matter of must, should and ought to. It is the result of a deep love relationship with God.
Dr. Adrian Todd Destructive Living (v5) Be dead to immorality, impurity, passion (lust), evil desire (impulses), greed (unchecked hunger for pleasure) sexual sins a death cycle a devotion to self gratification, not towards God, destroys relationships deal with these early in them you also once walked (see 1Cor 6:11)
Dr. Adrian Todd Destructive Living (v8) Put aside anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech sins of anger another death cycle these damage and change relationships deal with these early, do not let them fester All of these things are not in accordance with the image of Christ
Dr. Adrian Todd Living in a manner worthy (1:10) Bearing fruit, (v12) by putting on a heart of… compassion; understanding sympathy kindness; our Christ-like attitude to others humility; our Christ-like attitude to ourselves gentleness; how we approach others patience; how we react to others v13, bearing with and forgiving one another, Lord’s Prayer v14, Love binds all of them together (NIV)
Dr. Adrian Todd Let… (vv15-16) Let the peace of Christ be the umpire Be thankful Let the word of Christ dwell in your hearts With thankfulness Out of these we teach and admonish Yourselves - could also fit with the context of sorting our own lives out in relation to others admonish - to give instruction
Dr. Adrian Todd Power to live by (v17) What ever you do or say our Christian life is not limited to “meetings” Do, and say, it in the name of Jesus Acting in someone’s name means representing them and being empowered to do so “Christian conduct is the results, not simply of effort to be good, but of incorporation into the Body of Christ.” C. F. D. Moule
Dr. Adrian Todd Living up to the Image Our love for Christ motivates us to live in a manner worthy Living in this way impacts one another We treat them with love the love Jesus has for us the love we have for Him and also in the light of His love for them The way we live reflects and builds our relationship to God, and one another