The book of Colossians has been progressively answering one great question. In Chapter 1, Paul establishes that Christ is enough—that Jesus is supreme over all creation and that all things were created by Him, through Him, and for Him. In Chapter 2, Paul reminds us that we are to be rooted in Christ and not be deceived by worldly philosophies, religious legalism, or empty substitutes that promise what only Jesus can provide.
“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” — Colossians 3:4 (ESV)
Now, in Chapter 3, Paul brings us to the practical implications of those truths. If Christ is enough and we are rooted in Him, what should our lives look like?
Paul’s answer is remarkably simple—Christ in you changes everything.
This chapter is often taught as a list of things Christians should stop doing and things they should begin doing. While those instructions are certainly present, Paul’s emphasis is much deeper than behavioral modification. He is not teaching us how to become better people. He is teaching us what happens when Christ truly becomes our life. The Christian life is not about trying harder; it is about allowing the life of Christ within us to transform every part of who we are.
Notice Paul’s opening words:
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is…” (Colossians 3:1)
Paul does not begin with commands—he begins with identity. Before speaking about what we do, he reminds us of who we are. We have been raised with Christ. We have died to our former way of living. Our lives are now hidden with Christ in God.
This changes everything.
Christ Changes Our Perspective (Colossians 3:1-4)
Paul tells us to set our minds on things above and not on earthly things. This does not mean we become so heavenly minded that we neglect our earthly responsibilities. Rather, it means our priorities, perspectives, and values are no longer dictated by the world around us.
Far too often we allow circumstances to define us. We define ourselves by our careers, our successes and failures, our ministries, our finances, our relationships, and even our struggles. Paul reminds us that our identity is found elsewhere. Our lives are hidden with Christ.
One of the greatest struggles for many men is finding our identity in what we accomplish rather than whose we are. When we succeed, we feel valuable. When we fail, we feel insignificant. Yet Paul declares that our identity is neither our greatest accomplishment nor our greatest failure—it is Christ.
“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3)
Notice that Paul doesn’t say Christ is part of your life. He says Christ is your life. There is a tremendous difference between making Jesus an important part of our lives and allowing Him to become our lives.
If someone examined your priorities, your conversations, and your calendar, would they conclude that Christ is your life or merely one part of it?
Christ Changes Our Desires (Colossians 3:5-11)
Having established our identity, Paul moves naturally to our desires. He writes:
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you…” (Colossians 3:5)
Paul’s language is intentionally strong. He does not tell us to manage our sin or negotiate with it. He tells us to put it to death.
This includes the obvious outward sins such as sexual immorality and impurity, but Paul quickly moves into the less obvious sins that often find comfortable places within our hearts—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and lying.
Many believers have become skilled at managing sin rather than mortifying it. We excuse our anger because we believe we are justified. We tolerate our impatience because we consider it part of our personality. We justify our harsh words because we believe someone deserved them.
Paul leaves no room for such compromises.
The reason we are called to put these things to death is not because God is attempting to make our lives more difficult. It is because they no longer belong to who we are. The old man has died. We are no longer slaves to those desires.
Paul writes:
“Seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (Colossians 3:9-10)
Notice once again that Paul appeals to identity. We do not put off the old self so that we might become God’s people—we put off the old self because we already are His people.
Our transformation is not something we accomplish for Christ but something Christ accomplishes within us.
Are there sins in your life that you have been attempting to manage that God is calling you to put to death?
Christ Changes Our Character (Colossians 3:12-17)
Paul now moves from what we are to remove to what we are to put on.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved…” (Colossians 3:12)
I love that Paul once again begins with identity. Before calling us compassionate, kind, humble, patient, and forgiving, he reminds us that we are chosen, holy, and beloved.
We do not practice these virtues in order to become acceptable before God—we practice them because we already are.
Paul calls us to put on:
- Compassionate hearts
- Kindness
- Humility
- Meekness
- Patience
- Forgiveness
- Love
Notice that every one of these characteristics describes Jesus Himself. Paul is not giving us a new religious checklist. He is describing what the life of Christ looks like when it is displayed through His people.
Perhaps the most challenging instruction in this section is found in verse thirteen:
“…forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:13)
Paul does not provide exceptions. He does not say to forgive when someone deserves forgiveness or when they have sufficiently earned our trust. He simply reminds us how much we ourselves have been forgiven.
The measure of our forgiveness toward others is the forgiveness we have received from Christ.
He then tells us:
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:14)
Finally, Paul says:
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” (Colossians 3:15)
The word translated “rule” was often used of an umpire deciding the outcome of an athletic contest. Paul is teaching us that Christ’s peace should have the deciding vote in our lives.
Would those closest to you describe compassion, patience, humility, and forgiveness as defining characteristics of your life?
Christ Changes Our Relationships (Colossians 3:18-21)
The true test of our spiritual maturity is rarely demonstrated in public. It is most often revealed within our homes.
Paul immediately applies the supremacy of Christ to marriage and parenting. Our faith was never intended to remain within church walls. Christ’s lordship extends to our homes, our conversations, and our relationships.
Husbands are called to love and not become harsh with their wives. Parents are instructed not to discourage or provoke their children.
These commands remind us that spiritual maturity is not measured simply by our biblical knowledge but by the manner in which we love those God has entrusted to us.
Far too often we reserve our patience for strangers while giving our frustrations to our families. Paul reminds us that Christ desires to transform both our public and private lives.
Would your spouse, children, or closest friends describe your Christianity as something they hear about or something they experience?
Christ Changes Our Work (Colossians 3:22-25)
Paul concludes the chapter by addressing our work. He writes:
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)
This verse has encouraged believers for centuries because it transforms our understanding of work itself. Paul reminds us that our ultimate employer is not our company, our supervisor, or our circumstances—it is Christ Himself.
There are no insignificant tasks in God’s Kingdom when they are done unto the Lord.
Whether we lead ministries, manage businesses, write software, teach classes, serve meals, or quietly serve others without recognition, Paul reminds us that our labor is ultimately an act of worship.
If Christ is truly our life, then there is no separation between the sacred and the secular. Everything becomes an opportunity to glorify Him.
Life Application
Perhaps the greatest danger in studying Colossians 3 is leaving with a list of things we intend to improve about ourselves. Paul’s intention is much greater than that. He is not calling us to become better versions of ourselves—he is calling us to become increasingly like Christ.
This week, rather than asking, “What should I do differently?” ask yourself, “Have I allowed Christ to become my life?”
If Christ is your life, your thoughts will change. Your desires will change. Your character will change. Your relationships will change. Even your work will become an act of worship.
Transformation is not found in trying harder—it is found in remaining near the One who is transforming us from the inside out.
Closing Encouragement
There is a beautiful progression throughout the book of Colossians. We began by discovering that Christ is enough. We then learned that we must remain rooted in Him. Now Paul reminds us that Christ dwells within us and desires to transform every part of our lives.
The Christian life was never intended to be a burdensome list of religious obligations. It is the joyful privilege of allowing the life of Christ to be displayed through imperfect people who have been redeemed by His grace.
The same Christ who created all things in Chapter 1 is the Christ who now lives within His people in Chapter 3. He is not only Lord over creation—He desires to be Lord over our hearts, our homes, our work, and our witness.
Christ in you changes everything.
Closing Prayer
Father,
Thank You that You have not merely called us to believe in Christ but to live in Him and allow Him to live through us. Forgive us for the times we have attempted to manage our sin, define ourselves by our accomplishments, or compartmentalize our faith. Teach us what it truly means for Christ to become our life.
Help us to put to death whatever remains of our old ways and to put on the character of Jesus each day. May our homes reflect Your grace, our relationships demonstrate Your love, and our work become an act of worship offered unto You.
Lord, let those around us experience the transforming power of Christ not only through our words but through our lives. Continue the good work You have begun within us and make us more like Your Son.
We ask these things in the precious name of Jesus.
Amen.