Key Passage: Colossians 3:1-17

Topic: Christian Living

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father (Colossians 3:17, NLT). 

It's disappointing to be cut-off in traffic by a guy with a Jesus fish on his tailgate. It's sad to see the girl from the church worship team at a party with a beer in her hand. And it's tragic to read about someone who shoots an abortionist "in the name of Jesus."

It's one thing to see how a Christian shouldn't live, but how is a Christian supposed to live? 

The Bible tells us that becoming a Christian is really about becoming a new person: "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ..." (Colossians 3:1, NLT). And it's true. Though our physical bodies stay the same, our spiritual lives are reborn. Because of this, Paul (the author of Colossians) tells us that the first step in living as a Christian is to "set your sights on the realities of heaven... Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth" (Colossians 3:1-2, NLT).

In other words, shift your focus. In a movie, when the camera shifts focus to something in the distance, the close objects become blurred. When a Christian shifts his or her focus to eternity, the worries of life don't seem as important. Life still matters…but the troubles can now be viewed as temporary and fading.

The next step is to "put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you" (Colossians 3:5, NLT). Paul goes on to explain we're to "get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other" (Colossians 3:8-9, NLT). And we do this because we're now representing Christ (See Colossians 3:11, 17). For a lot of people, representing someone else is a new experience. We're so used to living for ourselves that it takes awhile to realize our actions--good or bad--reflect on another. In the Christian's case, they reflect on Jesus.

Paul starts us with a negative--"put to death"--but concludes with a positive: "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" (Colossians 3:12, NLT). 

We're to act this way because these are the characteristics of God. God is merciful and kind and humble and gentle and patient. And so it's your choice today. As a Christian, what are people going to learn about God when they see you? 

Consider It

Maybe you're thinking, Love and kindness are all right, but a person has to have a certain amount of ruthlessness to get ahead in the world…right? Read Colossians 3:12-17 and think about the following questions:

• Describe the things God seems to view as success.
• What are ways we're to actively love each other?
• Where does peace need to start?
• What can you do to "let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives"?How do these actions and attitudes show others that we belong to God? 

Apply It

What messages about God are you sending to those who see you?

• Are you an "aggressive" driver with a fish on the tailgate? Maybe a good place to start is to remove the fish while you ask God to help you be more patient with other drivers.
• Are you visible in your service to God? Be aware, then, that your actions are being viewed by those around you. Use that exposure to show others how Jesus would act among them. 

Express It

God knows that being a Christian in a sinful world isn't easy. As you pray, be honest about your frustrations, but also be thankful that your hardships are only temporary. Use your prayer time to refocus your sights on heaven, and ask God for the peace you need to face the day ahead.