Colossians 3:6 - Forerunner Commentary

Colossians 3:6

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Forerunner Commentary
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Colossians 3:1-17

Notice how many active words Paul uses in Colossians 3:1-17 to describe what a Christian must be doing:

"Seek those things which are above" (verse 1).
"Set your mind on things above" (verse 2).
"Put to death your members" (verse 5).
"Put off all these" (verse 8).
"Do not lie to one another" (verse 9).
"Put on tender mercies" (verse 12).
"Bearing with one another, and forgiving" (verse 13).
"Put on love" (verse 14).
"Let the peace of God rule . . . and be thankful" (verse 15).
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you" (verse 16).
"Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (verse 17).

Paul makes sure we understand that we must actively participate in order to grow. When God talks about growth, He means increasing in His attributes, the qualities that will conform us to His image.

John W. Ritenbaugh
Five Teachings of Grace

Related Topics: Doers of the Law | Doing Good | God's Image | Grace | Growth | Mortify the Flesh | Overcome Evil with Good | Overcoming | Overcoming, Mankind's Participation in | Seeking God | Seeking God's Righteousness | Seeking Good | Spiritual Growth | Spiritual Growth, Process of | Spiritual Maturity | Spiritual Maturity, Process of | Work Out Salvation | Works | Works as Evidence of Growth | Works of the Law | Works, Christ's Emphasis Upon | Works, Judgment According to | Works, Paul's Emphasis Upon | Works, The Necessity of Good

Colossians 3:5-10

Christ calls us to take up our cross and follow His example. This call is not so much a call to martyrdom as a command to deny self or, crucify the flesh, even to the point of death. We must be prepared to die, if that is where the course of events leads, but in most cases it is not so much literal martyrdom as it is to have the attitude of self-denial that is willing to give up all. Christ's disciples live to serve God, not self. Paul admonishes us to put off our former conduct and put to death our sinful actions.

Martin G. Collins
Overcoming (Part 5): Self-Denial

Colossians 3:5-8

What we fear to do is to suffer the pangs of self-denial. We fear putting to death our flesh that is demanding satisfaction. But the truth is that we are dealing with the most troublesome aspect of our humanity. It is pride demanding its due. That is what we do not want to face because, in submitting to God, we are denying what pride is demanding, that we stand up for ourselves.

Do you understand that it is pride within us that wants to be god? It loves being praised and being coddled. It quickly puffs up with angry judgment over the real or perceived wrongs of others while being oblivious to its own. It is almost like a living, breathing something, a form within us unlike that of any other creature. It can be fed, or it can be starved. When fed, it grows. When it is starved, it diminishes and dies daily.

Pride starves and diminishes when we choose to submit to God's Word in obedience. But it is going to put up a strong defense of itself through the fear of being denied. It wants satisfaction. "You shall be as gods," the serpent told Eve. God made the serpent say exactly what was happening. Pride in Adam and Eve exalted itself over God, and made them god by changing the standard to satisfy themselves when they saw that the fruit was attractive. They did not deny their flesh.

Whether the challenges arise in what we permit ourselves to eat or to drink, how much we permit ourselves to eat, the control of the tongue, directing the temper, or whether we choose to be kind or sarcastic or cynical or hopeful and encouraging, the test to control our fear of humbling ourselves exists. That is where the battle is being waged.

John W. Ritenbaugh
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Four)

Related Topics: "You shall be as gods" | Battle against Human Nature | Battle against Self | Controlling Appetites | Controlling Emotions | Controlling Tongue | Desire to be like God | Fear of Being Denied | Fear of Humbling Self | Fear to Suffer Self Denial | Flesh Demands Satisfaction | Pangs of Self Denial | Pride | Putting to Death the Flesh | Starving Pride | Submitting to God's Will | Submitting to God's Word

Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Colossians 3:6:

Zephaniah 1:12-13
Colossians 3:1-17
1 Thessalonians 4:10-12

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