Break Free from the Past

Colossians 3:1-11 
 
Paul explains true Christian behavior. The old nature is dead. We are to accept Jesus as our Savior and put on the new nature. When we let Christ in our hearts, He changes us into what we should be.
 
In verses 1-4: 
Look Up:
 
“For ye are dead.” Simply put, we died. We should have little desire for this world and what it has to offer. Our old nature has been removed. We that have been born again are dead to sin; its dominion has been broken. Our real home is in Heaven with Jesus.

• John 14:2-3, In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.

 
“Your life is hid with Christ.” The world cannot see our life. It looks dull to them. We know Christ and Christ knows us. The world does not know Him.

• Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.

 
“When Christ, who is our life.” Jesus lives in every believer through His Spirit.

• John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, lam the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 
Jesus helps us to live and gives us hope for the future.
 
“Shall Appear.” As we realize that Jesus is corning again, we should continually look up. We must keep watching for His return for we do not know the hour that He will come back.

• Matthew 24:36. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

 
“Ye shall appear with Him in glory.” Upon Christ’s return, all believers will be gathered up together with Him in Heaven, those whose life is now hid with Christ.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
• 1 John 3:2, Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

  
Paul is reminding us to remember who we once were, who we are at this moment, and who we will be when Jesus returns. Are we truly looking for Jesus to return? What do we focus on? 
 
In verses 5-9: 
Look Out:
 
If we are truly believers of Christ, it will show in our personal holiness and our fellowship with others. In other words, our actions will display what is in our hearts. What does our relationship with Jesus, if any, show in our everyday life? On our daily “to do list,” living holy should not be there. Living holy should be a way of life!
 
Mortify means to subdue, control, restrain, discipline, or put to death. Look at the different “works of the flesh” that Paul is specifically pointing out in these verses; fornication (sexual immorality), uncleanness (thoughts, words, etc.), inordinate affection (unbridled passions and lust), evil concupiscence (evil desires), and covetousness (envious, greedy, desirous, idolatry). We should be unresponsive to all of the above, or anything that can come between our spiritual lives and God. Just as gardeners prune dead branches from trees and bushes, Christians should prune away the dead things of this world from our lives.

• Romans 8:13, For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

 
Lay aside the old self and put on the new. Put off old habits and begin new habits, living for Christ and be guided by the Holy Spirit. 
 
“Mirror, Mirror of the Book. Please tell me how I look.” 
 
In other words, what fruit do we bear that others see? Does God need a microscope to see any fruit that we bear? In Galatians 5, we are told what to avoid and what to cultivate. We are not only to cease from doing evil, but we are also to seek to do what is right in the eyes of God. Get rid of the old rags sin, then put on the new clothes of righteousness.

• Ephesians 4:22, That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.
• Ephesians 4:29, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

 
In verses 9-10: 
Look In:
 
When Christians lie to one another, it disrupts unity and destroys trusts. It can also lead to breaking down relationships and disharmony within the church. Discipleship is a continuing education, a learning process. The more we know and learn, the more we begin to change for the better. People will see Christ in us. We must never give up in obeying God. Practice, patience, reexamination, and attentiveness will help keep us in line with God's will.

• Romans 12:2, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
• Ephesians 2:10, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. Unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 
In verse 11:
Look Around:
 
There should be no barriers in the Christian church such as nationality, social standing, religion, race, etc. Christians should accept all people that come to Christ, for it was Christ that broke down the walls of division (race, education, social standing, nationality, religion) and merged all believers into one family.

• Romans 10:12, For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
• Ephesians 2:14-15, For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.
• 1 Corinthians 12:13, For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one spirit.

 
In Paul's day, many of these people were led to Christ. The Gospel had reached out and touched many lives. Our Christian life is to walk out everywhere showing Christ in all we do. It is believers’ duty to live as He lived. Christians ought to focus on constructing bridges rather than walls.