In chapter 3 of Colossians, Paul reminded the people of Colossae to keep their focus on the Lord.
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Keeping Christ above All
Paul warned the people to beware of the heresy that was being promoted and to have faith in God. This faith was to keep them grounded and remind them of the goal in mind. Colossians Chapter 3 provides a guide on how to use freedom in Christ to stay above sin and how to keep Christ first in everything that they do.
Earthly Desires vs. Godly Desires
The people of Colossae were instructed to behave differently than those of other men. Paul said they should conduct themselves in a Christ-like way and avoid many of the common sins of man. These earthly desires that move many men include passion, anger, revenge and lying, among others. Paul said these desires are to be avoided for those who believe in Christ.
Instead, Paul said, they should practice acts of kindness and humbleness and use love as the tie that binds believers together. He said that Christ lives in each believer and He was all that mattered.
Paul Addresses Family Matters
In Chapter 3 of Colossians, Paul also provided a guide as to how family situations were to be handled. He said that wives should behave in a submissive manner toward their husbands. He also said that husbands should love their wives with gentleness.
The epistle also addressed the manner in which fathers should behave towards their children. Paul said fathers should provide their children with love and encouragement. Children should also comply with the rules of their parents and not disrespect their wishes. Being an obedient child, according to Paul, was pleasing to the Lord.
Guidelines for Servants and Masters
Paul also outlined in Colossians Chapter 3 how servants should obey their masters and complete their work with sincerity. By doing this, they would be rewarded in the Kingdom of Heaven. In addition, masters should treat their servants with respect and fairness. By doing this, they recognize that they also serve a Master in Heaven who is fair and just.
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Colossians 3 (King James Version)
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And 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.
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.