Affection For Things Above

Lesson Text: Colossians 3: 1-1 7

Related Scriptures: Psalm 31: 19-24; Romans 6:1-14; 8:18-25; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 1:3-14

 

TIME: A.D. 60                                    PLACE: from Rome

 

GOLDEN TEXT "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him" (Colossians 3:17).

 

 Introduction

Jesus said to store up eternal treasures in heaven, knowing that one's heart is wherever one's treasure is (Matt. 6:19). He also said to seek first God's kingdom (vs. 33). Paul applied these concepts to the Colossians.

As Christians, we are identified with Christ. When Christ died, we died to sin. When Christ rose, we too were raised to new spiritual life. As we look to the future, when Christ is revealed in glory, we will share that glory with Him.

 

In light of our glorious position in Christ, we need to put off ungodliness. The obvious sins that everyone acknowledges as wrong, the past sins that marked our unbelieving years, and the common sins that afflict all people—all must be abandoned.

 

The positive side of Christian living is putting on godliness. Since we are united with Christ, we are to increasingly become like Him. We are to behold Him in His holiness and submit to the Spirit's work to recreate us in His image. This Christlike spirit should be demonstrated in compassion, love, peace, and thankfulness.

 

LESSON OUTLINE

1.   Put Attention On Heaven— Col. 3:1-4

2.   Put off Ungodliness— II. Col. 3:5-11

3.   Put On Godliness— Col. 3:12-17

 

 

 

Exposition: Verse by Verse

Put Attention On Heaven Col. 3:1

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

 

Raised with Christ (Col. 3:1).

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul challenged the Christians to live up to what they were in Christ. Gentile converts often lived their prior lives in a culture of gross immorality affecting nearly every aspect of their lives, and breaking away from that culture could be difficult. Moreover, false teaching threatened to undermine their faith, dilute their devotion, and muddle their minds. Paul urged the believers to resist what was false and to hold fast to Christ. By doing this, they would be able to live up to their spiritual potential.

{Colossians 3:1 begins with a condition: "If ye then be risen with Christ." Paul was confident that his readers were indeed Christians, but he had an important purpose in writing that way. By using a conditional clause, Paul drove his readers to examine their own lives.} Q1 The false teachers were confusing them with all their talk about rituals and angels. Paul's words brought them back to the central issue. If they had truly received spiritual life in Christ, they needed to live like it.

Paul often spoke of Christians being "in Christ" or "with Christ." This language of identification reflects the Christian's legal position before God. In God's sight, when Christ died, all Christians were crucified with Him—they died to sin (cf. Gal. 2:20). When Christ arose, all Christians were raised to new life with Him.

After stating the condition, Paul gave two commands that apply to all who are, in fact, risen with Christ. Genuine Christians who have spiritual life in Christ should seek the things that are above. Seeking means to give every effort to obtain; believers are to maintain a concerted determination in doing so.

The things above are heavenly things. Paul says elsewhere, these are things that are "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think about these things" (Phil 4:8). Christians should devote themselves to what God values.

 

Dead with Christ (Col. 3:2-3).

The second command expands the first. Paul instructed the Colossians by means of a contrast. He told them to set their affections on things above, not on things on the earth. Paul was saying that the believers needed to be motivated by the things of heaven rather than by the temporary concerns of earthly life.

Some think that Paul was not necessarily speaking specifically against sinful worldliness here, as John did in I John 5 when he warned, "Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world." Rather, they think Paul is merely arguing against being distracted by temporary, earthly things. Anything, even things which are good in moderation, can distract us from Christ’s kingdom if we set our minds on them.

Paul also did not define godliness in terms of just the negatives to be avoided. Godliness is protected by what it avoids, but it is nurtured by what it positively embraces. Just as a healthy diet means not only cutting out bad foods but also adding good foods, so true Christianity needs to keep attention in a positive way on the things above. Using the metaphor of clothing oneself, Paul urges us to put off sin and put on godliness (cf. Eph. 4:20-24).

In Colossians 3:3, Paul gave a reason to support his commands. Christians have died with Christ. {At the present time, their lives are hidden with Christ in God. There are two senses in which Christians are hidden. First, they are hidden from people in the world. unbelievers do not value the things o God; so, they do not appreciate or ap plaud the lives of Christians.

Second, the full extent of the believer's life in Christ is hidden from view today. As I John 3:1-3 indicates, Christians today have only an inkling of what life with Christ will entail for them i the future.} Q2 {

 

 Revealed with Christ (Col. 3:4).

{As Christians look to the future, they can anticipate glory with Christ. Just as Christ died, rose from the grave, and then ascended to glory in heaven, so Christians have died with Him, been raised to new life in Him, and will one day share in His glory. The Bible does not say when that wonderful day will come, but whenever Christ returns in glory, His people will bodily rise from the dead and appear with Him (cf. I Cor.15)}Q3

This fact is so certain that in Romans 8:30 Paul spoke of Christians as already having been glorified by Christ. In God's plan the transformation is already fixed, although the time is still future. Although Christians are often neglected and rejected by the world today, they can be certain of glory ahead. God's designs will dwarf their wildest dreams.

 

PUT OFF UNGODLINESS 3:5

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

 

Abandon obvious sins (Col. 3:5-6).

In verse 5, Paul moved from describing the spiritual position of Christians to detailing the specific practices that should characterize their lives. He gave the logical application of the doctrine of the Christian's identification with Christ in His death and resurrection. Beginning with dramatic and emphatic language, Paul told the Colossians to mortify whatever they have that pertains to the earth, that is, to their members' earthly nature. This addressed the negative side, the activities the Colossian Christians needed to put off (vss. 5-11). After that, he viewed the positive behaviors they needed to put on (vss. 12-17).

Because Christ is pure and holy, His people should be pure and holy as well. This means that the sins that are typical of unsaved lives are incompatible with the Christian life. We know, however, that Christians still struggle with sin in their lives.

{Paul therefore challenged the Colossians to abandon all kinds of sins. He started by enumerating several sins that are obviously violations of God's moral standards. Sexual vices defile God's rightful place for sex within marriage alone. Covetousness, the desire for what belongs to another, in effect raises one's personal cravings above God's demands; so it constitutes idolatry. If we desire something more than God, we have idolized it.)Q4

All the sins Paul listed in verse 5 are subject to God's wrath. His settled opposition to sin requires that He judge those who disobey His commands by their sins. Thankfully Christ has paid the penalty for sins. They are, however, still contrary to God's character. Christians, then, should put to death those sins, which merit God's judgment.

 

Abandon past sins (Col. 3:7).

{All humans are born with a sin nature they inherited from Adam. Because of that, it is as natural for humans to sin as it is for them to breathe (cf. Gen. 6:5). The unsaved person does not have to learn how to sin or to try to do what is wrong. Sin comes naturally to all people.}Q5

Even for Christians, sin is a continual struggle. From the point of salvation, the Holy Spirit indwells believers, gives them a new nature, and works to conform them or to renew them according to the image of Christ. Nevertheless, sin continues to be a challenge. The sinful flesh still prompts Christians to do what is wrong, and years of sinful habits are not easily broken. People who have walked in sin all their lives have to relearn how to walk in Christ.

Paul did not write these words in order to discourage the Colossians; rather, he wanted to warn them not to underestimate sin's tenacity. As long as Christians live on earth, they will have to struggle against sin. Temptations will come from outside and inside. Their past habits may prove treacherous. Only Christ can enable them to abandon their sinful patterns of the past.

Abandon common sins (Col. 3:8-9).

{Some people might suppose that they do not have a problem with sin because they are not guilty of the obvious sins of sexual immorality and covetousness listed in verse 5. In verse 8, however, Paul turned his sights on several common sins that infect every life. "Anger" and "wrath" refer to the uncontrolled emotion that lashes out at others. "Malice" speaks of a desire to hurt another person. The word translated "blasphemy" refers to insulting speech directed toward God or others. "Filthy communications" is foul-mouthed talk. "Lying" is speaking what is false, either to harm others or defending oneself.}Q6

Each of those actions is a symptom of the flesh at work. Those sins are certainly not produced by the indwelling Spirit of God. Even though they are very common, they must never be condoned by Christians. God's people should continually examine what they are desiring, doing, and saying, and then put off by God's grace all that belongs to the old nature.

Accept your new identity (Col. 3:10-11).

Verses 10 and 11 form a transition to Paul's positive challenge to put on godliness (vss. 12-17). The flesh produces sin even in the life of a Christian. {When people are saved, they receive a new nature, which is made after the image of Christ. The Christian's new position should shape his practice. The new nature is continually renewed so that it can make the Christian more and more like Christ. One day, all Christians will be entirely Christlike in their character.

When Christ is in a person, there is no limit to the transformation that He can produce.}Q7 Christ can overcome all the barriers that have divided humans into rival factions. He is greater than any ethnic, religious, cultural, or social barrier. These distinctions are meaningless for our standing before God; we are all equal in Christ. Christ makes a person new, and He provides the power for a new quality of life. In Christ, Christians can indeed put off sin in their lives.

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PUT ON GODLINESS

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

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Attitude of compassion (Col. 3:12-13).

In God's plan, all those united with Christ should imitate Christ. At the point of salvation, God places His Spirit within the believer, giving him the spiritual power that is necessary to live for God.

 Each Christian must cooperate with God in putting on godliness. Christians work out the salvation that God has already placed in them (cf. Phil. 2:12-13). They need to live up to what God has made them in Christ.

Instead of promoting themselves and exploiting others, Christians should be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient, and forgiving. {The standard for Christian behavior is Christ Himself. Because He has loved and forgiven them; they too should love and forgive others.

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Attitude of love (Col. 3:14).

All the qualities listed in verses 12 and 13 can be summed up in a single word—love ("charity"). Christian love is the kind of love that God showed when He gave His Son to die for sinners. Love is free action to help others, despite the cost.} Q8

It is godly love that leads to spiritual perfection, or maturity. Certainly, knowledge is important, but knowledge alone can puff one up with pride. Service is also crucial, but service can come from impure motives. Only true love will produce the actions and attitudes that will lead to spiritual growth (cf. I Cor. 13:1-3).

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Attitude of peace (Col. 3:15).

The worldly person chooses to do what brings personal advantage. {The Christian, however, has a different standard for decisions. God's peace is to "rule" as his umpire to determine whether his actions, attitudes, and desires are worthy.

This is not just a subjective feeling of goodness; rather, by doing what pleases God, the Christian stands before the Lord with a clear conscience. Because he is living as God desires, he enjoys joyful fellowship with the Lord and his fellow believers.}Q9 Sin brings guilt and replaces the sense of peace with shame.

Attitude of thankfulness (Col. 3:16-17).

When God controls a life, thanksgiving freely flows. Christ's word provides wisdom for life. This enables the Christian to fulfill God's design. (The joy that results not only fills the Christian's own heart but also overflows in all kinds of teaching, encouragement, and praise within the community of believers.

Thanksgiving should affect every part of the Christian's life. Every word should reflect the character of the Lord Jesus. Every deed should be motivated by His love. Every response should manifest gratitude to the God from whom the blessing of spiritual life has come. God is good. Let us praise Him!)}Q10. —Daniel J. Estes

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QUESTIONS

1.  How did Paul prompt the Colossians to assess their spirituality?

2.  In what sense is the life of Christians hidden with Christ?

3.  What does Christ's return promise for Christians?

4.  What kinds of obvious sins did Paul reject as wrong for Christians?

5.  Why is it dangerous for Christians to do what comes naturally to them?

6.  What kinds of common sins did Paul mention?

7.  How does being in Christ provide power for spiritual transformation?

8.  How does Christ's forgiveness provide the standard for Christian compassion to others?

9.  What role does the peace of God play in a Christian's decisions?

10.       How should thankfulness be evidenced in the Christian's life? —Daniel J. Estes

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Preparing to Teach the Lesson

 The Christian life should be radically different from a life centered around self and sin. This lesson examines the qualities of the life that is centered around Jesus Christ.

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TODAY'S AIM

Facts: to explore practical aspects of the Christian life.

Principle: to teach that there is no place in the Christian life for the life we left behind.

Application: to encourage students to pursue lives that are worthy of the cause of Christ.

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 INTRODUCING THE LESSON

People who live in northern regions of the United States learn to live with drastic seasonal changes. Hot summers soon give way to cool autumns. Autumns fade into frigid, snowy winters. Many northerners appreciate the variety provided by the changing seasons and learn to adapt to the changes in weather.

One aspect of life that must change with the seasons is a person's wardrobe. When the days get longer and the temperature rises, winter coats, sweaters, and long-sleeved shirts are replaced with the lighter garb of summer. There are clothes to be put away and other clothes to be brought out for use.

Coming to Christ represents a major change in a person's life. Many of the attitudes and actions that seemed normal before are no longer appropriate. New actions and attitudes become the norm, or at least the ideal, of the new life in Christ. This week's lesson looks at some of the life changes associated with Conversion to Christ.

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 DEVELOPING THE LESSON

1. Focus on higher things (Co 3:1-4).

Christians are indeed "rise with Christ." Read Romans 6:1-5 as class. Our new status in Christ should we us a new perspective. The new heavenly perspective should result in new desires and new pursuits.

We are to "seek those things which are above" and "set [our] affection o things above" (Col. 3:1-2). Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there will you heart be also" (Matt. 6:21). Read also I John 2:15-17. Every Christian should ask themselves: "Where is my heart?"

Ask class members to reflect on the meaning of Colossians 3:3. In what sense have we died? Refer to Galatian 2:20, where Paul declared that he was crucified with Christ. Discuss the concept of our lives being hidden in Chris (cf. I Cor. 12:13). The Holy Spirit ha baptized us into Christ, and our identification with Him is complete.

Contemplate the great promise o Colossians 3:4. Being dead and hidden in Christ has a great reward. When Christ appears, we will be with Him (cf. I Thess. 4:14-17)  

 

2. Turn from your sinful past (Col 3:5-9).

"Mortify" is a strong word. The sins listed in verse 5 pertaining to the earthly nature do not disappear automatically from a person's life. God expects us to exercise the will He has given us and kill those sins. List and define the sinful practices and attitudes mentioned in this verse. Note that covetousness is considered idolatry; yet in the minds of many, covetousness is a minor infraction.

Who are the "children of disobedience" (vs. 6)? God's wrath is focused on those who are not in Christ (cf. Rom. 5:9). God's holy nature has zero tolerance for sin.

Colossians just mentioned should be in the past tense for the Christian (cf. John 3:9), buried and done with! List and define the second slate of negatives as found in Colossians 3:8-9. They are associated with the "old man." Refer to II Corinthians 5:17.

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3. Put on the new life (Col. 3:10-14).

Just as different clothes are appropriate for different seasons, so it is appropriate for Christians to put on a whole new attitude. The renewal that is to be taking place in the Christian's life is continual. We are renewed in God's own image.

Note the complete integration of the Christian community in verse 11 (cf. Gal. 3:28).

List, define, and discuss the positive character traits cited in Colossians 3:12-14. Those traits clearly reflect the character of Jesus Himself. Time permitting, ask a class member to read aloud I Corinthians 13. The positive traits of Colossians 3:12-14 characterize the love, or "charity," that is central in the Christian life.

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4. Do all in Christ's name (Col. 3:15-17).

Notice that we do not have to produce peace in our hearts; we simply have to let it rule there. Refer to Philippians 4:4-7. Discuss how we can allow this peace to prevail in our lives. Note that Christians are called upon again and again to be thankful (cf. I Thess. 5:18). Christians who do not have a thankful outlook do not have God's peace fully ruling in their hearts.

Discuss what it means to have "the word of Christ" (Col. 3:16) dwelling richly within us. God's Word needs to become such a part of us that it governs all of our lives. Teaching, admonishing, and singing all have their place in Christian fellowship. The kind of singing noted in Colossians 3:16 is more than mere entertainment.

Explain what it means to do things in Jesus' name. Christians represent Him in their words and actions. A good question to ask ourselves in any situation is "What would Jesus do?"

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ILLUSTRATIING THE LESSON

The picture show the central idea of the lesson: focusing on the things above, not things below (Col:1-2).

THINGS ABOVE

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CONCLUDING THE LESSON

Becoming a Christian involves a radical change in perspective. The believer needs to focus on heavenly things instead of the things of this world. He needs to shed the negative, sinful actions and attitudes of his past life and put on a lifestyle that expresses the new life he has found in Christ. He needs to remember that he represents Christ and that whatever he does or says should be in Jesus' name.

Challenge your class to make sure that they have indeed put off the old and put on the new. Encourage them to focus on things above.

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ANTICIPATING THE NEXT LESSON

Next week concludes this unit on Biblical Feeling. We will look at part of James 4, which is a very practical section focusing on being humble before God and living with one another. c A. Tanner

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PRACTICAL POINTS

1. A believer's value system is different from the world's (Col. 3:1-2).

2. Because Christ lives in us, we have the hope of sin being vanquished from our lives (vss. 3-6).

3. Born again people must not hold on to sins that dominated their lives before salvation (vss. 7-11).

4. To follow Christ means to practice the virtues that characterize Him (vss. 12-14).

5. A biblical church will have mutual teaching and encouragement (vss. 15-16).

6. Everything we do should be done for Christ's glory (vs. 17). —Jarl K. Waggoner

 

RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION

 1. What are the things above that believers seek (Col 1-2)?

2. How do we seek the things above and not things of this world (vs. 2)?

3. What are the implications of the truth that our life is hidden in Christ (vs.3) and that Christ is "our life" (vs.4), not merely a part of our life?

4. Is it correct to say that a Christian has no excuse for sinful behavior (vss. 5-10)? Explain. If so, how should we think about Christian’s sinning?

5. What does it mean that in Christ there is neither Greek nor Jew, etc. (vs. 1 1)? What are the practical implications of this?

6. How would the consistent practice of the virtues listed in verses 12 and 13 change individual lives and the church today? —Jarl K. Waggoner

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 ILLUSTRATED HIGH POINTS

Seek those things which are above (Col. 3:2)

A young woman knew she was making bad decisions and could not continue to live that lifestyle. When her minister asked about her relationship with the Lord, she told him that she knew nothing about the Bible but that she did believe in God. The pastor shared the gospel with her. Soon she was deep in prayer, asking God to save her.

Months later, members of the minister's congregation who knew the woman reported, "She lives and speaks as with a heavenly mind. Her thoughts are on her Savior and His expectations for her. She's truly a changed individual."

Put off all these (vs. 8)

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After a long, hot day doing manual labor, you get sweaty and your clothes stink. After coming inside and showering, no one wants to put the same dirty clothes on! After Christ has redeemed us, we should have no desire to go back to the old sinful habits. We should put on new clothes of righteousness.

 Put on the new man (vs. 10)

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A group of Christian workers met to have fellowship and discuss their various ministries. The workers took turns telling of the many ways God had guided and specific burdens for prayer. Finally, one of the veteran workers spoke.

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"l am a miracle of God's grace and mercy," he said. "Only the Lord and I know the darkness of sin and disobedience that once filled my life. I was interested only in money and pleasure. Nothing spiritual mattered; then Christ changed my life. He made me a new man!"

He then challenged all who were there to stand firm on God's Word and to live true to God's call in their lives. —Ray L Parker