The New You
Colossians 3:1-11
The Bible teaches a great promise. Through faith in Jesus Christ, God can completely transform you — not just improve you, but make you new in identity, heart, and purpose. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This means your old self — defined by sin and separation from God — is replaced by a new self that reflects His righteousness and holiness. Here in Colossians 3, Paul presents a spiritual roadmap for Christian living, highlighting the Christian’s union with Christ, the rejection of sinful behaviors, the cultivation of Christ-like virtues, and the proper conduct in family and work relationships.
Seek the Heavenly (3:1–4) – In view of our wonderful identification with Christ, we have a great responsibility: “Seek those things which are above” (Col. 3:1). Through Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, we have been separated from the old life of this world, and we now belong to a new heavenly life.
Slay the Earthly (3:5–9) – The word mortify means “put to death.” Because we have died with Christ (Col. 3:3), we have the spiritual power to slay the earthly, fleshly desires that want to control us. Paul called this “reckoning” ourselves to be dead to sin but alive in Christ (Rom. 6:11). Our Lord used the same idea when He said, “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out” (Matt. 5:29–30).
Strengthen the Christly (3:10–11) – The Greek verbs translated “put off” and “put on” (Col. 3:9–10) indicate a once-for-all action. When we trust Christ, we put off the old life and put on the new. The old man has been buried, and the new man is now in control. But the verb translated “renewed” is a present participle — “who is constantly being renewed.”
Discussion Guide
Set the right priority (1-4) – What does it mean to be raised with Christ? If you have been raised with Christ, share when and how this happened. What things “which are above” is Paul referring to? How can we seek those things? How should we set our minds on the things that are above? What will our lives look like if we are doing this? What will our lives look like if we are setting our mind on the things on earth? What are some of the most common things the people around us are seeking after? What are the things above which we should be seeking?
You are transformed, act like it! (5-11) – Based on verse 5, what does Paul mean by “earthly?” How can we put these things to death? Which of the sins in verse 8 are more difficult for you to put away? Why? What steps do you need to take to be victorious in this area? What reason is given for the command not to lie to one another? Is there any exception given for this command? What about telling a lie if it is convenient or beneficial to you or the other party? What is happening to the new self? How can it be renewed?