A Study of Colossians

The Righteousness of Christ in us, not a religion

Lesson #8

Colossians 3:12 God calls His saints the “elect” it simply means that we are chosen by Him, or (favored). We could event say that as we respond to the message of the grace of God; (the gospel of grace) Acts 20:24 that God selects us out of the world (the counterfeit kingdom) and places us in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Which is a theme of this epistle Colossians 1:13.

Now it is true, what God has done for you and me, cannot be undone. Yet, here we are in all of our natural ways, our characteristics have not changed and neither has our sinful mindset. Our souls are cleansed in the blood of Christ and here we stand as a new recruit in kingdom of Christ and we begin “boot camp” or as God puts it: Salvation Sanctification. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 and 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, also see 1 Peter 1:2. Sanctification is a, New Lifelong experience in Christ and here in Colossians 3:12-17 we well get our orders of instruction.

As the elect of God: He will (since He sees us as HOLY and BELOVED) train us to put on holy and beloved attributes: Tender mercies: Emotions that show real compassion for those that God brings to you. Kindness: gentle and useful to the people who God. Humbleness of mind: modesty of mind, meaning that when you are face to face with people, that we are not to entertain, selfish thoughts about them. This is the same characteristics of humility. In other words we are to think purely as God would. Meekness: A gentle calm spirit, someone nice to be around. Long suffering: A solid person, one who is standing strong, one who does not give up easily, willing to lead.

Colossians 3:13 This is not a Spiritual wardrobe that is put on, like that armor of righteousness found in Ephesians 6:10-20. This is our new Spiritual Character, it is the Characteristics of Christ in us. These attributes cannot be reproduced in the flesh, these must be the result of God the Holy Spirit outworking in our daily born again life. Notice 1 Thessalonians 4:8 and again 1 Peter 1:2 We have no skill to utilize these apart from the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 3:14 Love no doubt is the hardest attribute for us to understand. Anyone who will allow the Spirit of God express a character of tender mercy; compassion; kindness; gentleness usefulness and modesty of mind will with a calm heart at all cost, be a strong influence. One who can express to others the love of God and the bonding that results to those in need. Notice how the apostle puts it in 2 Peter 1:5-11 or as the apostle Paul puts it in Galatians 6:22-26 and the key verse here is 26.

Colossians 3:15 Peace is that training session that some have said to avoid praying for. Now just the thought of not praying for something that God has given us by way of promise, command or gift of grace, sort of gives a bad rub. Notice; we are challenged to let peace (rule) in our hearts. The thought of ruling peace comes to us with one purpose that will result in two objectives.

One: Peace with God, since we have placed our faith in the message of the gospel. This is very important for us to understand. Because we have experienced salvation by faith in Christ, we have peace with God. God does not get upset or all emotional over the circumstances that come our way. Salvation Justification is Peace with God. This is a personal sustainable peace for you and I to use daily.

Two: Peace of God, this is the same peace as the peace we have with God, but it is it is the operational part of our character. The peace of God covers every and all circumstances that comes our way. All of the trials and temptations that happen are to be met with the sustainable peace we have of God and the operational peace we demonstrate with God. Philippians 4:6-7. This peace is part of our spiritual warfare clothing. Ephesians 6:15, we cannot be a witness of salvation justification or sanctification to anyone if we do not have on the shoes of peace.

Colossians 3:16 Before going any further: The attributes of being sanctified in Christ is the Character of the New Man or woman that God is training us in. It is called in other places of scripture, training or instruction in Righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 for example. Training does not come to us as a gift, but all of the attributes of the New Man are given, notice what the apostle Peter says again in 2 Peter 1:5-11. So we are to allow the word of God have it's proper abiding place in our soul. Our life is no longer a life of unrest, unloving and having no peace.

Now we should present our bodies as a living holy sacrifice to God and to the world around us. What does that look like? TEACHING, ADMONISHING ONE ANOTHER WITH PSALMS AND HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, SINGING WITH GRACE IN HEARTS TO THE LORD. Also see Philippians 4:8-9

Colossians 3:17 I can't do that some of us may say, I'll look weird and no one will want to hang with me. Well, this is not always the case, some friends may go away but not all of them. Also, you will gain other friends. It is God who brings us people to relate with and all of them need to see that what you do you do in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ. He is LORD and you being dressed out in His Character is what those around us should see. A heart of THANSGIVING is a heart that the Father is using to glorify His Son.