“The Principles for Holy Living” Getting rid of that ‘Old Clothing’ Colossians 3:1-17

Living a holy life Being a godly man
Put Off Put On Clean out the closets
I. Holy Living: The Principles (3:1-17)
A. In regard to the believer's affection (3:1-4)
1. The place of our affections (3:1-3) It always starts with the
heart
Col. 3:1 “set your sights on the realities of heaven,” (NLT)
Col. 3:1 “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
The Lord said it this way:
Matt 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Note the order (treasure 1st/2nd heart)
Matt 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, We must transfer our affection from earth to heaven!
John said it this way:
1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -
is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
The Hymn writer said it this way: This world my home I’m just a passing through!
2. The person of our affection (1:4):
We must direct our affection toward Jesus
Heb 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Phil 3:12-14
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
B. In regard to the believer's spiritual apparel (3:5-17)
Oh no! A dress code!
Paul is using a change in garments (clothes) to describe the changes that should take place in our lives!
The change in garments is not a dress code but a change in conduct
The principles he used are called simply put off and put on.
The old garments we need ‘put to death’ (3:5 NKJV; NIV; ‘mortify’ KJV); to get ‘rid’ of; (3:8 NIV; ‘put off’ NKJV; KJV) Burning my ‘coveralls’
1. What to put off (3:5-9):
God's anger comes on those who practice:
** 3:5 Immorality and idolatry
KJV: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection,
evil concupiscence
[inordinate affection/every evil desire]
NIV: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires
NKJV: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire
idolatry KJV: covetousness; NIV: greed; NKJV: covetousness
** 3:8 Anger, malice, slander, and filthy language
(anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out
of your mouth KJV)
**3:9 Lying
These truths/principles/concepts are also taught in Ephesians 4:20-32. In Ephesians there is a little help in accomplishing the changes God wants us to make. Lets use lying as the example: 4:25
“Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,"”
The NIV sums it up in this way: Col 3:5 ‘whatever belongs to your (old) earthly nature’
The NKJV: Col 3:6-7 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
2. What to put on 3:10-17
** A new nature (principles that guide us and live by) 3:10-11
Col. 3:10 KJV And have put on the new man, which is
renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Phil 2:5 NKJV Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus
Phil. 2:5 NAS Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
Rom. 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
** Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (3:12)
** Forgiveness and love (3:13-14)
Col. 3:14
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. NKJV
II Cor. 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. NKJV