How To Live The Most Effective Life For Christ - Christian Perspectives
The Apostle Paul dedicated Colossians 3 to show how each of us can live an effective life for Christ. To accomplish his goal, we will need the richness of Christ’s message. And we will need the wisdom we receive from Him.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. Colossians 3:16
In this chapter, Paul wanted his readers to look past this life and envision the life to come.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Colossians 3:1
Were you ever in a difficult spot but you knew, it would soon come to an end? What did you do? You focused on the outcome, thinking this will be over soon. That’s what Paul was telling us about this life.
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:2-3
He went on to say, remember those sins you used to be involved in? Maybe they are still lurking around within you. He said, don’t do them anymore.
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Colossians 3:5
Get Rid of the Subtle Sins
They are obvious sins and they will spark the anger of God. He didn’t stop there though, he continued by mentioning the more subtle sins we might commit.
But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Colossians 3:8-9
Let me tell you one of the things I like about the Apostle Paul’s writings. When he gave instructions, you can usually make what he says into a list. He did this, in this chapter as he told us how we can live an effective life for Christ.
- Put on your new nature, and be renewed.
- Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
- Make allowance for each other’s faults.
- Forgive anyone who offends you.
- Clothe yourselves with love.
- Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.
- As members of one body live in peace.
- And always be thankful. Colossians 3:10-15
Now as we arrive at our verse for today, its contents could be a continuation of that list. However, since we’ve already mentioned some of this verse, let me close with these thoughts.
As a Christian community, we need each other more than ever before. Paul said we should teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom Christ gives. And we must always have a song in our hearts.
Prayer to Live an Effective Life for Christ
Lord, it is our goal to live an effective life for Christ. We can’t do that without your help through your Holy Spirit working in us. Thank you for the list you provided by your servant Paul to guide us in our Christian walk.
Check out this related post called 7 Reasons to Celebrate our Life in Christ.
You might want to read all of Colossians 3.
Feature Image Photo by Tatum Bergen on Unsplash
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