The Marks Of The New Life
THE MARKS OF THE NEW LIFE
COLOSSIANS 3:12-17
We need to reaffirm the renewal of our nature every day in constant commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, if the freshness of our devotion is to be preserved.
The removal of the marks of the old life leaves a vacuum which must be filled. Paul urges that his readers display the signs of their new life in Christ. He had just said that in Christ there exists no distinction between Greek and Jew (3:11). Now the apostle applies to the Colossians terms which in the Old Testament were reserved for Israel alone (see also Exodus 19:5f.); through Christ they have been set apart from the world as God’s beloved children (3:12). They are to demonstrate by their lives that they belong to the new family of faith. Having shed the rags of pagan slavery, they are to put on the robes of splendor which belong to sons alone (see also Luke 15:15,21f.). The qualities which Paul commends are the opposites to the signs of bitterness listed in 3:8. They reflect Christ’s life in us by which our attitude toward others is conformed to his own. If as Christians we are to make Jesus Christ visible in the world, we must treat others as Christ treated them (3:13). What the Colossians had been forgiven is sufficiently indicated by 3:5-7. The qualities of generosity which Paul lists are to be crowned by a love which knows what it is to say “No” to oneself in order to be able to say “Yes” to another person. Paul describes love as the girdle which holds in place the garments of the new life (3:14). Love makes it possible for people to share genuine fellowship in Christ.
The achievement of unity within the larger fellowship of the church is the concern of 3:15-17. Paul was a realist who knew that occasions of friction arise inevitably whenever people meet in close fellowship, whether in families, places of work or in churches. God’s provision for harmony in the church is the grace of Christ experienced, first in reconciliation to God, but reaffirmed as Christ is allowed to arbitrate all disputes and differences (3:15). A keen awareness of the presence of Christ tends to reduce personal bias to the small dimensions it deserves. The presence of Christ becomes vocal in the word of Christ expressed through the tradition (2:6f.) and the worship of the community (3:16). When Christ’s word controls one’s thinking, dependence on the Lord Jesus will be reflected in all that is said and done (3:17). The result of an intimate union with Christ is the possession of his mind and outlook prompting a sustained spirit of thanksgiving.