Colossians 3:17

Whatever you do (no matter what it is) in word or deed, do everything in the name of Lord Jesus (and in dependence on Him), giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

God is not compartmentalized in our lives. He just doesn’t wait for us to be in church on Sunday. God is with us all the time. We are then to live our lives in the best way we can, honoring God in everything we do. We are walking, talking representatives of Jesus.

Colossians 3-16

Let the word of Christ have its home within you (dwelling in your heart and mind-permeating every aspect of your being) as you teach (spiritual things) and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your heart to God.

We are encouragers of the brethren in our own church. We are to learn from the Bible during the week to pray with power and authority over others who need it. We are to encourage and love each other with a thankful heart to God. Our strength as a church comes from our growth as Christians, as we influence the community by showing our love for each other and for others.

Colossians 3:12-13

So, as God’s own chosen people who are holy and well beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.

The devil will use offense to tear apart wherever he is allowed in. He will use Christians and regular people to say things they shouldn’t. Choose to forgive others often and quickly without bearing malice in the heart. Don’t let offense gain a foothold to steal the peace.

Colossians 3:11

A renewal in which there is no (distinction between) Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised (nor between nations) whether barbarian or Scythian, (nor in status whether) slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all (so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction).

Christ doesn’t show favoritism to His family. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ but at different levels of knowledge and experience. That is why we are to help and encourage one another in Christ. Our experiences may help another person who is struggling.

Colossians 3:9-10

Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices and have put on the new (spiritual) self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self.

Paul is not talking to unsaved people here, but the Christians in the Colossian church. They were working through and learning about salvation and following Jesus as believers. We, as believers, need to continually renew ourselves in the word and deepen our knowledge of Jesus. Whether long-time believers or new, there is an enemy trying to steal our faith and causing us to sin.

Colossians 3:6

Because of these (sinful) things, the (divine) wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience (those who fail to listen and who routinely and obstinately disregard God’s precepts) and in these (sinful things) you also once walked, when you were habitually living in them (without the knowledge of Christ).

Jesus didn’t come to this earth focusing on Himself, but to save others from sin and the absence of God in their lives. The Law gave rules and regulations, but not the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When we follow the precepts of God, we leave the sins of the old self behind. Jesus frees us through salvation to live without the condemnation of sin.

Colossians 3:5

So put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body (with its sensual, self-centered instincts) immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry (because it replaces your devotion to God).

The things of this world will never satisfy as much as a relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. If we are self-centered, we will never be satisfied and will constantly be looking to fill a void. Jesus came to save us from our sinful nature, evil desires, and greed. Without Jesus providing a way to escape, we would be trapped in them, with no way out.

Colossians 3:2

Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above (the heavenly things), not on the things that are on the earth (which have only temporal value). For you died (to this world) and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

We don’t have to settle for the ungodly standards of the world for our lives. Our born-again spirit was given to us so we could rise and live according to Godly standards. The Bible is our power source for a renewed mind, a healthy life, and healthy relationships. The Holy Spirit is our guide and our helper, steering us away from any pitfalls that arise.

Proverbs 4:23-24

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful (lying and misleading) mouth, and put devious lips far from you.

It matters what we let into our minds and what we let out of our mouths. If we are not at peace and unsettled, check in on what we are thinking and what we are saying. When we test our current situation, and if it is negative, then we need to test our conversation with ourselves and others. We have the greatest impact on our future by what we speak about today.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things.

If we continually judge our thoughts by these standards, our minds would find greater peace. When our thoughts do not line up with these standards, we are to reject the thought. We are the gatekeepers of what enters our brains. We can’t ruminate over a negative thought and expect to have peace. Don’t give negative thoughts any time to settle in our thought process.