Lesson 10: Raised With Christ — A New Direction

Colossians 3:1-11 — study notes

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11 (NASB)

1 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

2 Set your minds on the things that are 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, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.

6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,

7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.

8 But now you also, rid yourselves of all of them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth.

9 Do not lie to one another, since you stripped off the old self with its evil practices,

10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created it

11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free, but Christ is all, and in all.

1) Introduction

Union with the risen Christ in our salvation changes what we seek, what we put to death, and who we now are. Paul reminds Christians that they have died with Christ (in their salvation) and that they have also risen with Christ — therefore our focus should be where He is.

2) Colossians 3:1-4 — Seek the Things Above

Seek things above: mind and aims reoriented; life hidden with Christ; future appearing with Him.

We have been told already in Col. 2:12 that we have been raised with Christ; therefore we must seek the things above (where Christ is). Our minds, our attitudes, our ambition, our whole outlook must be driven by our living bond with Christ.
"Set your minds" means an act of will on the things above, not on earthly things. This must be our overall philosophy. However, we are still in this world and must live according to God's law — go to school, work, raise a family, be a good citizen.
We have died to the world; now we live for God. Our interests are Christ's interests, and our goals and dreams should be Christ's.
Our reward will be given when Christ is revealed.

3) Colossians 3:5-7 — Put the Earthly Body to Death

You are a new creation in Christ — live like new men and women. Your body is now dead to the system of the world, which (if pursued) is compared to idolatry.
Renounce all sinful propensities and desires, and live in the new, divinely implanted and holy life. Why? Because we have died to the world and live for Christ.
Living in sin as a Christian is being sons of disobedience, for which God's wrath of judgment comes.

4) Colossians 3:8-11 — "Put Off" and "Put On"

Paul tells us to put off relational sins: anger, slander, obscene speech; do not lie. The old self is being removed.
Put on the new self: renewed knowledge; an identity which is in Christ.
The life and power of Christ in us is constantly renewed as we strive to be like Christ, and this must be part of our daily walk with God.
Verse 11 means that sinful habits are done away with in Christ's new creation, and that the barriers which divided human beings are done away with as well. Christ is all and in all believers.

Action Plan for This Week

Choose one "put to death" target and one "put on" replacement practice. Make both specific and measurable.
Do a speech audit. Ask God to guard your words for 7 days — tone, truth, and kindness.
Take one step toward unity. Initiate a conversation with someone different from you.