Colossians 3:12–17 - 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
What does today’s passage say?
In today's passage, Paul implores the Colossian followers of Jesus to actively clothe themselves in godly virtues given their new status as God’s dearly loved people (vv. 12-14). They ought to mercifully bear with one another and humbly refrain from self-promotion, expressing the compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience that should mark the family of Christ. Additionally, Paul challenges them to allow Christ’s promise of peace to guide their hearts, responding with gratitude rather than anxiety or anger (v. 15). As believers immerse themselves in God’s living word, he urges them to let its truths permeate their interactions. They should speak wisdom into one another’s lives, allowing thankfulness to God overflow in all areas (vv. 16-17).
How can I apply Colossians 3:12-17 to my life?
Paul calls believers to live out the transforming work Christ accomplished within them. Followers of Jesus have been raised to new life in Him, called to participate in His holy nature. Therefore, how we conduct ourselves matters greatly. Our attitudes, speech, and treatment of others should align with our new position before God. Scripture outlines key areas of growth so that we can increasingly shine like lights in a dark world. As we walk in these godly virtues, soak in the peace and truth of Christ, and live all of life with grateful worship, our lives make Jesus known to those around us. This passage highlights biblical ways we can actively participate with the Spirit’s renovating work from the inside out as new creations in Christ. Here are some key principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Pursue Christlike Virtues in Your New Identity in Christ (vv. 12-14): As Paul instructs the Colossian believers to clothe themselves with godly virtues, so too are followers of Jesus today called to actively put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience daily. This means consistently striving to take on the very character of Christ in how we think, speak, and conduct ourselves. We must make diligent efforts to treat others well, graciously endure mistreatment, and resist attitudes of pride or self-importance. At times, that will require us to reign in our natural reactions in order to extend merciful forgiveness or remain humble when offended. Our righteousness comes not through good works but as a gift from God. Yet out of love and gratitude to Him, we must aim to walk in step with His Spirit, displaying the virtues that reflect a transformed heart. Pursuing growth in these areas is not easy in our own strength. But we can depend on Holy Spirit empowerment to increasingly shine with the beauty of Christ through our words, responses, and treatment of others. As we do, our lives give authentic testimony that we belong to Him. This growth in godly character brings glory to God. So let us passionately pursue such growth through the Spirit’s enablement (Galatians 5:16-26, Ephesians 4:1-3,32-5:2; Philippians 2:1-4).
Food for Thought: In what specific relationships or scenarios do you most struggle to display Christlike virtues? What specific actions can you take to pursue growth in those areas?
2. Let the Peace of Christ Drive You and Let the Word of Christ Transform You from Within (vv. 15-16): Paul directs the Colossian church to let Christ's peace rule their hearts and His word dwell richly within them. In the same way, Christians today are called to be driven by the peace of Christ and inwardly shaped by the transforming power of His word and truth. This means we allow the promise of His peace and presence to guard our hearts and rule our thoughts, rather than giving way to fear, anger, or anxiety. We actively set our minds on things above, immersed in Scripture, allowing it to permeate our perspective and renew us from the inside out. As Christ's teachings and principles take root in us, our actions, responses, and how we view circumstances will increasingly reflect His influence. Our service and speech toward others will be marked by heavenly wisdom rather than earthly ways. Pursuing this kind of inner transformation requires intentional time in God’s Word and presence, allowing His truth to penetrate deeply. But as we yield ourselves to His work within us, the Spirit renews and empowers us to live as conduits of His grace. Our lives become living praise as we are shaped from within by Christ Himself through the power of His word (Psalm 119:25-32, Romans 8:5-6, Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 4:12).
Food for Thought: What specific things most often rule your heart and thought life instead of Christ's peace? What changes can you make to immerse yourself more deeply in Scripture and be inwardly renewed?
3. Live Your Whole Life for Christ with Thanksgiving for All He Has Done for You (v. 17): As Paul challenges the Colossian believers to live fully for Christ, conducting every part of life with gratitude to God, so too followers of Jesus today are called to live entirely for Him, overflowing with thankfulness for all He has accomplished on our behalf. This means we acknowledge Him as supreme in our motives, pursuits, work, and interactions. Rather than compartmentalizing faith, we recognize Jesus’ Lordship over every area. Our decisions and activities become acts of worship when flowing from gratitude and desire to please our Redeemer. Even mundane tasks or difficult relational dynamics can glorify God when permeated with praise. As we grow in appreciating Christ’s sacrifice for us, how He brought us near to the Father, and the hope stored up for us in heaven, we gain perspective to shape all of life around magnification of His goodness and greatness. Our worship transcends singing songs and expands into full life stewardship. From vocational endeavors to family dynamics, to the thoughts we entertain, we can surrender all to our gracious God, living as conduits of His love with thanksgiving to Christ fueling everything we do (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 1:12-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Food for Thought: What areas of your life tend to feel disconnected from worshipful living for Christ? What would it look like to cultivate more consistent gratitude and surrender in those domains?
This passage in Colossians reminds us that the Christian life is one of active pursuit and participation. Through the enablement of the Spirit, we strive to increasingly reflect Christ’s virtues, saturate our minds with kingdom peace and truth, and surrender all areas of life to God with thanksgiving. As we yield ourselves to being inwardly renewed and transformed by the powerful work of Jesus, our lives become living praise and testimony to His grace. May we urgently heed these biblical exhortations, cooperating with God’s renovating purpose until Christ’s peace, purity and presence permeate every part of our being.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would produce increasing spiritual fruit in my life and character. I pray that You would empower me by Your Spirit daily to show Your compassion, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. Help me to have a heart filled with kingdom peace and a mind overflowing with the renewing truth of Scripture so that Your Son’s life and purity shine brightly through me. Make my life a living sacrifice of praise offered up continually to You. Transform my work, my relationships, and all my work and activities into acts of worship fueled by thanksgiving for Your amazing grace. I offer myself fully over to You today.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Colossians 3:17 – “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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