Colossians 2:10-15

It is important that we do not take these other passages too far in applying them. There are still distinctions in the world and in the church, however, in salvation there is no distinction. All have to come though Jesus Christ. All must fight sin. The Jews had an advantage of the scriptures, but they still must die to old self and put on the new. It did not matter who had advantage in this world and who did not. All must put off the old self and put on the new self in Christ. It is easy for us to fall into the trap Paul is writing about here. We can look at those in the world or new Christians and say “This is for you.”, however, the putting off of the old self and putting on the new self is something we have to do for our whole lives. It is something we continually look for Christ to help us do. It is not for others. It is for you.

Colossians 2:9

Before we come to Christ, we might be good people in the eyes of the world, but not according to the standard of God. All of us walked in these earthly ways. We can not say “That person needs to do this” or “Those people need to do this.” Each of us must kill the sin in ourselves through the help of Jesus Christ. Paul expands the idea of what needs to be avoid specifically. “Anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie”. These seem to be specifically targeting sins of the mouth. Christ changes us from inside out. Heart and Mouth must put off old self and ways and put on the new self which is found in Christ. We are renewed to be like our creator who is holy and perfect. We die to our sinful and worldly self.

Colossians 2:8

Note well the strong language Paul uses in making his point: put to death. We are not to play with sinful thoughts or acts. Notice the list that Paul gives us. They are a list of heart issues that flow out through our words and actions. He calls this idolatry because these are things in your life that you are putting before the Lord. God hates this and He is a wrathful God. His is not an angry hateful human like wrath. God has a perfect, just, and holy wrath against sin and sinners. Christ died to set you free from these. Christian, you have power over these sinful, earthly things because you are in union with Christ. Here is real hope and help.

Colossians 2:6-7

While it is true that we can become so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good, it is equally true that we can become so focused on the things of earth that we do not seek the things that are above. Jesus tells us, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33).  You are an alien and a stranger in this world. It is not your home. We are to care about the things of this world, especially the people of this world, but we are not to get caught up in the things of this world. We want the world to honor Christ. We want people to know Jesus and His salvation. Our hope and our home is in heaven. This should give us perspective as we live our life in this world and wait on the one that is coming.

Colossians 2:1-5

We are in union with Christ’s death, resurrection, and life (Romans 6:3-5). Paul is telling you here that in Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world. You are now set free from the sinful world in which you live as a Christian. You are dead to the world and alive to Christ. Paul’s question is, “Why do you still live as though you are in the World?” There are those who will teach things that sound spiritual and good, yet they are a self-made religion that pushes you to asceticism (severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons) and sever actions and attitudes towards your physical body. These have no value in stopping sin. To do that, we must continue to look outside of ourselves (our work, our efforts, and our suffering) and look to Christ.

Colossians 1:24-29

There is a movement in some circles of the church to go backwards into the Old Testament food laws and ceremonies. There are many folks who are refusing to eat pork or shellfish. They are celebrating the old holy days of the Jews. This is not something we can or should be compelled to do. These all pointed to Christ’s coming and, now that we have Christ, we have no need of them anymore. All animals were declared clean in Peter’s vision (Acts 10:9-16). Often these efforts are an attempt to go backwards for the sake of spirituality. If we want a greater spirituality we must go forward to Christ. These are shadows! Christ is where the substance is.

Colossians 2:10-15

When Christ wins we will win too! We cannot overstate the importance of the connection we have in Christ. Paul states here that Christ is life for us. Often people will be asked, “What is your life? What is at the center of it?” They will answer with a spouse, family member, job, hobby, or the like, but the real center or real life for a Christian is to be Christ. He is our life here and now and Christ will be our victory there and then. When He appears in complete victory and judgement, this will be our victory too!