I recently finished a study through the book of Colossians and want to share a portion of it with you, trusting that the Word of God will encourage some. Colossians 3

Vv 1-4 reiterates the book’s theme and sets the subject for the following three paragraphs. The theme restated is “Since you then have been risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God” (3:1). We seek above things because through our salvation we are positionally dead to this world. Looking at the first paragraph to follow the theme I stressed that this list of things to consider dead, or to ‘put off’, is not something to be used as a rule book whereby we earn merit for salvation or to maintain our salvation; but this list of things that are earthy should be considered as a wakeup call to the child of God who finds himself exercising them: its time to repent and seek reconciliation. Serious attention must be paid in particular to truth: we are not lie or use guile in our relationships. Because we are now a ‘new man’ and the ‘old man’ has been put to death. My ‘new man’ is “renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (vv 10). All the work of Christ in my salvation has broken down every barrier between men: race, nationality, and social standing for all who are Christ’s are one in him.
Now, the next paragraph speaks of the positive aspect of seeking above things: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies...forbearing one another, and forgiving one another...above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts...and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom...” Herein is set forth the ‘above things’ we are to seek as a consistent reality in our hearts and minds. There is one key to this whole matter and that is stated in vv 16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom”. We must understand the force of the word ‘dwell in’. It means to occupy with a focus of influencing every aspect of that house. The Spirit of God then is that part of the God-head which constantly works to convict me of sin, judgment and brings me to repentance, and the ‘above things’ then become evident in every area of my relationships. Because the ‘word of Christ dwells in me richly’, I have a heart’s desire to teach others of Christ and to admonish them to obedience. This is done through the overwhelming peace and joy that fills my soul, so that I must sing forth God’s praise: “...in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace him (my) heart to the Lord” therefore the end of the paragraph’s admonition to be seeking above things is that “...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.”


This post was originally posted in the "Devotionals" section of the forum. Devotionals should be posted on the main forum first, then archived to the Devotionals section. My apologies for not adding information about posting devotionals to the main page yet. I hope to add such information to the Devotionals page soon. ---Blackstone