Colossians 3:1–11 - 1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
What does today’s passage say?
In today’s passage, Paul challenges believers to redirect their entire mindset and desire away from earthly, fleeting pursuits and instead be consumed with Christ and the eternal glories of heaven where He reigns with God (vv. 1-2). Since we spiritually died and were raised with Him, we must also put worldly attitudes and conduct to death while taking on virtues befitting new creations in His image (vv. 3-7). We must discard prejudice, pride, and mistreatment within the church, humbly recognizing our equal status as ransomed people under Christ’s loving lordship. This compels us to forgive, bear with, and serve one another across manmade dividing lines (vv. 8-11).
How can I apply Colossians 3:1-11 to my life?
Today, Paul calls believers to radically shift the orientation of their hearts and minds away from earthly ambitions and sinful desires and instead fix all their affection and thoughts upon the exalted Christ. Though we live in a fallen world, our position and identity are now in Christ who reigns in glory and fullness of life at the Father’s side. We must daily refocus ourselves away from petty complaints or yearnings for what we lack on earth and instead treasure a mindset and hope anchored fully to the eternal realities and riches that are ours through Jesus. By the power of His indwelling Spirit, we are enabled to overcome the pull of “old self” patterns that dishonor God so that Christlike virtues can shine ever more brightly in and through us. These verses make it clear that how we view ourselves and treat one another must align with our exalted position as new creations equally loved and valued by God, removing prejudice and divisions from Christ’s body. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Seek The Things Above by Setting Your Mind on Christ (vv. 1-2): Paul exhorted the Colossian believers to orient their hearts and minds toward the exalted Christ in heaven rather than earthly objects and ambitions. Like them, we as believers today are called to shift our perspective and affections toward heaven rather than earthly things. The key to this mindset shift is fixing our thoughts on Jesus Christ, who sits exalted at the Father's right hand. We must immerse our minds in the biblical truths about Christ's sufficiency, pray to know Him more intimately, and take every thought captive to His promises. This will re-center us from worldly values and distractions to treasuring an eternal view. Practically, this means evaluating how we spend our time and mental energy. Does our schedule and thought life reflect a heavenly mindset? If not, adjustments are needed. By grace, the Spirit renews our minds as we behold Christ's glory in Scripture. He lifts our gaze above the temporal to find satisfaction, purpose, and hope in relationship with our Him. We can consciously begin redirecting our thoughts to dwell on Christ's attributes and work each time we catch ourselves being pulled back into earthbound patterns. Muscle memory will develop the more we exercise Spirit-led discipline to uproot anxieties over temporary lacks and refocus on the eternal riches we have in Christ. This reshapes our emotions, choices, and conversations to align with kingdom priorities. Though the pull of the familiar earthly perspective persists, we can choose each moment to set our minds on things above where true life and joy are found (Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
Food for thought: What specific activities tend to shift your mind from Christ-centered to earthly thinking? What adjustments can help re-focus your mind? How might certain gospel truths about Christ's sufficiency be particularly helpful for you to dwell on right now?
2. Put To Death Earthly Desires (vv. 3-7): Paul instructed the Colossians that since they have died and been raised with Christ, they should put to death earthly desires that previously characterized their way of life apart from God. As those united to Christ, we too are empowered to eradicate the remnants of our old self that pull us from living fully for God’s glory. This includes destructive attitudes like sexual immorality, greed, and rage as well as speech patterns that tear down rather than build up. Confessing and turning from past sinful tendencies requires honest evaluation of our heart motives and choices. Through repentance and relying on the Spirit’s help, we can intentionally put off conduct associated with the old life that has passed away. Our new life in Christ frees us to walk in righteousness, truth, and love. Putting sin to death clears space for Christlike virtues to flourish and display His transforming grace. We must be ruthless in removing from our lives anything that feeds lingering sinful cravings. Just as dead men feel no earthly passions, we who have died and been raised with Christ should kill off desires that wage war against our souls. By the Holy Spirit’s power, we can demolish any strongholds of sinful thought patterns and behaviors and then rebuild with truth from Scripture. As we fill our minds with kingdom principles, the pull of the old self weakens. Through the daily spiritual discipline of putting to death that which does not honor God, we experience victory and transformation into the image of Jesus (Ephesians 4:22-24; Galatians 5:16-24; 1 Peter 2:1).
Food for Thought: What “old self” attitudes or behaviors do you need to intentionally put off? How will doing so make space for spiritual growth? What sources of temptation trigger sinful responses? How can you take preventative measures?
3. Put On the New Self and Unity in Christ (vv. 8-11): After exhorting the Colossians to put away sinful practices, Paul urges them to "put on" godly virtues and attitudes befitting new life in Christ. As believers, we too must discard worldly prejudices and artificial divisions and treat one another with honor, empathy, and recognition that Christ's redemptive work has made us one family. There should be no hierarchies or exclusion based on ethnic, social, or gender differences among those who share the Holy Spirit. Pride and mistreatment have no place within the body of Christ. Rather, we must clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, patience, and forgiveness - reflecting Jesus through how we interact. This requires tempering self-interest and considering others' needs as more significant than our own. It means welcoming diverse members of God's household as dearly loved equals without entitlement or discrimination. As ambassadors of Christ, our speech and conduct are to consistently reflect His reconciling grace at work within us. With the Holy Spirit's help, we can cultivate virtues like mercy and humility that forge connections across man-made barriers. Where division threatens the church, we must lead by example in restoring peace through confession, repentance, and forgiveness. As new creations in Christ, we have a spiritual bond that transcends surface distinctions. We must ensure that oneness is tangibly expressed through mutual care and honor within the body. There is incredible kingdom power when those once divided come together in purpose because Christ's love compels them to do so (Romans 12:9-16; Galatians 3:26-29; James 2:8-9).
Food for thought: Do you show partiality or prefer some believers over others? How can you proactively promote unity? What groups face prejudice in our culture today? How should the church specially consider and serve them?
Paul makes clear that those who have been raised with Christ are called to continually re-orient every part of their life around treasuring an eternal perspective anchored to Christ’s sufficiency and glory. This requires intentionally fixing our thoughts on His attributes, work, and promises until a heavenly mindset replaces earthly values and patterns. By the Spirit’s power, we can put worldly desires, sins, and prejudice to death in order to grow in godly virtues that unite and build up Christ’s body. May this passage motivate us to diligently set our minds above so that our lives display His transforming grace.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would give me the strength to set my mind and affections fully on Christ as I start each day. Help me dwell on the biblical truths that remind me of the security, purpose, hope, and satisfaction I have through His finished work. Show me any patterns of earthly thinking that threaten to pull me into discontentment or compromise and expose lingering “old self” attitudes and behaviors in my life that grieve Your Spirit. I pray that You would instill in me a vigilant commitment to put off destructive desires and actions that have no place in light of my new position in Christ. I pray that Your Spirit would develop patience, kindness, compassion, and humility in me so that I build up others in the church rather than tear down. Give me eyes to see beyond surface differences to the spiritual unity I share with each member of Your household.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Colossians 3:2 – “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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