[Live as a newly created human ] Colossians 2:11-12 , 3:5 - 4:1

1. What we believe in, determines our way of life

I recently attended a Christian doctrines course at the Tokyo Baptist summer seminars. Lecturer Terasono commenced the session with the form of a scientific equation: “How to live equals ethics, which is determined by what we believe in, equals theological doctrine, the latter has great bearing upon our life”
Generally, we think of conscience as a guide to our good behavior, but the lecturer asked if our conscience can be an authentic standard for our life. A human conscience is relative and conditional according to different cultures and histories so the secular ethic based on human conscience can be defective.
For example, Jewish people may think the pig is unclean and the eating of pork is a sin, but those who have no religious dietary law or claims to self-denial may not be offended. Then, there are those who are taught that killing perceived enemies in order to protect their country is a legal right, which has no further bearing on their moral sense.
The concept of conscience differed enormously between the Greek and Jewish people throughout the centuries. If we conducted ourselves according to our conscience, there would always remain contradictions and conflicts, and therefore no lasting peace of mind. The lecturer emphasized the importance of this theory.
Christians, however, should find absolute standards for living, not relative ones, and these can be found in the biblical accounts of Jesus.
The selected readings from Colossians also gives a powerful insight into Paul’s thinking about these matters. Paul¡Çs purpose in this book is to show that Christ is preeminent, first and foremost in everything, and the Christian life should reflect that priority. Let us for a moment, reflect upon the following verses.
“In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature,not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead” (Col. 2:11-12).
You will notice the contrasting focus in these verses. Circumcision,(beginning life as a Jew) is a metaphor for cutting off our sinful nature (the body of the flesh). Baptism (beginning life as a Christian) is a metaphor for dying to sin, and beginning a new life.
Let us look a little further into Paul¡Çs letter.
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Col. 3:9-10).
Disrobing and changing clothing is a metaphor for putting aside one way of life and starting a new one. And if we can achieve that:
“Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all” (Col. 3:11).
This new humanity is not divided into races, nationalities, or social classes. Christ is equally everywhere, with every believer.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience"( Col. 3:12).
Specific virtues are mentioned. Putting on new clothing is a metaphor for the five virtues that are named.
However in order to comprehend the meaning of “clothe yourselves¡É with these virtues, we need only to recognize and acknowledge how we once lived before we became a Christian.

2. The New Life in Christ

Paul is offering advice in the following verses for Christians who are seeking the new life in Christ. The verses speak for themselves!
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5).
“But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips” (Col. 3:8).
Ten specific sins are mentioned here,four sexual, plus greed, and five anti-social. Paul is saying all of these sins should have been left behind when we became Christ¡Çs.
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:13).
Christians are to be as patient and forgiving to one another as God is with us.
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Col. 3:14).
Love is the highest virtue!
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3 :17).
Every action should be an act of thanksgiving to God, done for the love of Christ.

3. The Christian Household

As we continue into the book of Colossians, the following verses, may seem contradictory to what we have been reading. Here, we find Paul setting down rules for a Christian household.
But, let us just observe these verses for a moment, and not be too quick to take them out of context, keeping in mind the time in which they were first written.
“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord¡É (Col.3:18-20).
“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged” (Col. 3:21).
¡ÈSlaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord¡É (Col. 3:22).
“Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven “(Col. 4:1).
One should not conclude from these verses that the power structure of male/female relationships or slavery is benign or blessed by Paul, but only that Paul took for granted the social structure of his time.
Paul is generally giving advice about living together in a Christian household and other ethical matters. Here we see a conservative approach to maintaining order. In three sections, duties of a perceived weaker person (wife,child,slave) are discussed, followed by the duties of the perceived superior person (husband, parent, master).
The summary of today¡Çs scripture teaching is simply a matter of morality, doctrine and ethics, and how to live the new life in Christ. Paul uses lists of vices and virtues, along with a set of household rules.
I will finish today’s sermon with words from Jesus, who called together the crowds, with the disciples, to teach them about what following a suffering Messiah really means.
It means, the Cross, a horrible instrument used by the Romans and other authorities for executions, a possible end for all followers of Jesus.
And Jesus said to the crowd and his disciples: “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it ” (Mark 8:35).

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