PUT OFF--PUT ON

 

Life in Christ is not a negative thing—it is a positive thing.  And life is changed, molded, remade—into the image of Christ. 

Colossians 3:1-3, 9-10, 17 

Ch. 3, Paul moves in his letter from teaching theology to how to live it out.  NIV titles this section, “Rules for Holy Living.”  Yes, you believe these things about God—then what difference does it make in your life—how you treat others—how you relate to others—and your own character? 

If Christ is over all—the head of the body, the church—the very image or likeness of God—and things were created for him (as it says in chapter 1)—then how does that impact the life of those who say they follow this One? 

Paul says in 3:1-2, “set your hearts—set your minds on things above.”  Could be just seeking to escape this world—think about heaven all the time—ignore what goes on in your life and this world.  Not what Paul is saying. 

Make as focus of your life—the ways of Christ—letting the One who is God remold your life—to become more like Him. 

Hearts—minds—your whole person—all of you—not just one part—let Him have every area of your life—be committed in all things.  Hence in v. 17, “whatever you do—in word or deed—do it all in the name of the Lord.” 

Taken off—have put on (vv. 9-10)—picture of taking off some clothes to put on others.  (I wish living for Christ was that easy, don’t you?) 

There are things to remove from your life—and there are things to place into your life. Christian life is not just a negative—a list of “don’ts.”  It is also a list of “do’s”. 

Take off, put on—(notice some of the other verses—list of things to put off in ch. 3, but also things to put on. 

• Put off—put on
• Put to death—rid yourselves of
• Clothe yourselves
• Put on (v. 14)
• What you do—do it

There are things to stop or behavior to quit—but in place there are ways of treating others—character to seek to live out. 

Practical ways of living life focused on Jesus--Col, ch. 3 

Christian faith—replacement theology—leaving behind negative habits and ways of living—for positive ways of living—and that is the Jesus’ way.  Can’t just “quit” doing something—have to “replace” it with the right things. 

Jesus talked about it when he mentioned demons being cast out.  Said that at times when demon was cast out, others would come in, and would do so in force—several—so the last situation is worse than the first.  Idea was that you don’t just sweep your house clean—your life—and think it will never get dirty again (I wish that would happen).  Instead, had to fill the emptiness—the void—with the good.  And that is what Paul teaches in ch. 3. 

Notice v. 10—Christian life is renewal—being made new—remade again—and all into the image of Christ.  “Being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” 

That is why the Christian reads the Word—prays—spends time with God in worship—spends time with others who are in process of being changed into the image/likeness of Christ.  Aids our spiritual growth—helps us have healthy models of Christian faith—challenges us to be changed and to keep our focus as the world attempts to pull us away from Christ to other things.

T.B. Maston—taught Christian Ethics at SWBTS.  Little book for teens called, Right and Wrong.  Gave questions to make decisions about things to do or not do.  Simple ways to make choices between right and wrong. 

Food even for adults—“When I do this (activity), can God bless me in the doing of it?”  “When I do this, will it show Christ positively to others?” 

v. 17  what it is all about—“whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”   

When I say this, does it honor Christ?  Does it show His character to others? 

When I do this, does it give praise to Christ?  Does it point others to a life lived worthy of the nature and character of Christ? 

In other words, by my words and my actions, can God bless me as I say/do this? 

How do you know what to “put off” and what to “put on”? 

• Read/study/listen—to God, to His Word—to the life of Jesus.
• Ask, “What is Jesus like?”  And ask, “What am I like?”  Compare, “Where am I like Jesus, and where am I not?”

Remember—it isn’t just about what you “don’t” do, it is about what you “do” and the character of Christ being developed in your life. 

Series of attempts and failures—“We fall down, but we get up.”  Lifelong journey. 

Whatever you do—whatever you say—do it all in the name of Christ. 

Can God bless me as I say this—do this? 

An action of God in our life—developing the character of Christ.  Don’t give up the struggle—letting Him have access.