Speliopoulos Module 5 - Put Off Flesh, Put On Christ Paper

Introduction Paul is not only a great theologian, he is also a pragmatist. In Colossians 3:5-16, Paul presents guidelines for holy living for those who have been redeemed by grace. Desiring above all else for those won to the Lord to grow in godliness, Paul outlines behaviors that do not glorify God and should be ceased and those that should be strongly pursued and evident in the believers life as they are God-honoring, pointing others to Christ and adding to the sanctification of an individual believer. What, practically, does this text mean? Believers in Pauls day did not have the benefit of the full complement of Scripture canon. Many of the gospel accounts and epistles had not been written yet. Pauls desire here is to equip the (rapidly!) growing church with concrete teaching on what it means to live the life of a believer in Jesus Christ. From admonishments to encouragements, Paul offers up a wealth of Christian living nuggets for the first-century church to chew on. Not only to the first-century believers is this important to have, but also for believers in the 21st century who struggle through cultures that are increasingly humanistic and, in turn, hostile towards those who express faith in Jesus Christ. First-century Paul knew that believers faced persecution, yet he also knew that the church grows during phases of persecution he had witnessed it firsthand! Pauls desire then is to equip believers so they can be ready tools in the societies into which God places them. This is still true today. What is Paul instructing us to do? Paul starts by listing a number of vices. There are three other passages where Paul expounds these: 1 Corinthians 6:910, Galatians 5:1921 and Ephesians 5:15. Bratcher and Nida write that when Paul writes to put to death, this expresses a strong imagery, however, while this should be maintained in translation, his word picture in todays English language 1

Speliopoulos Module 5 - Put Off Flesh, Put On Christ Paper

could be translated as get rid of completely, or eliminate completely from yourselves, or cause completely to have no more influence. (Bratcher and Eugene Albert Nida 1993, 77-78) What Paul attempts is to ensure that his audience knows which behaviors are not just selfdefeating in a Christians life, but entirely God-displeasing and dishonoring. Paul specifically lists sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5, NIV 1984), anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips (Colossians 3:8, NIV 1984), lies (Colossians 3:9), and socially or racially motivated prejudice (Colossians 3:11). To be effective witnesses of the Lord, Paul admonishes believers to put off the flesh. Paul continues by listing behaviors and characteristics that signify a sanctified life lived before a holy God. In particular, he highlights compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12, NIV 1984), bearing with each other and forgiveness (Colossians 3:13). He also acknowledges that love is the primary expression of the Holy Spirit active in believers lives. He finishes by giving practical advice on how to stay attuned to the leading of Christ in our lives, such as study of Christs word, teaching and listening to others teach, and singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16, NIV 984), thereby allowing believers to put on Christ. How can one do it (Put off >Put on)? Paul makes putting off the flesh and putting on Christ something that is very tangible to individual believers. Everyone recognizes the terminology used. There is no ambiguity in terms such as sexual immorality or greed. There is not one person alive who does not understand what Paul is telling believers they need to either not participate in or cease doing. Believers fool themselves when they think they can continue to live in the same manner they did before they came to faith in Christ. It is tantamount to living the Christian life to become more and more like Christ. Looking at the very practical list of items Paul lists, there is no 2

Speliopoulos Module 5 - Put Off Flesh, Put On Christ Paper

evidence Jesus ever behaved sexually immoral, had evil desires or allowed greed to direct his motives. Likewise, believers lives need to mold ever more to the model of their Lord and Savior. This comes through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and His enablement (not forcing) of changes in the believer. In other words, while the Holy Spirit certainly wants to see sanctification in the new man, He will never force that onto an individual. Rather God, in His infinite grace, gives humans the ability through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to change behaviors. To take one example, pornography is something that derails both men and women in Christian circles. While the individual is powerless to break the cycle of habitual sin on their own, the Holy Spirit enables the believer to be victorious. How do you do it? This is quite a significant topic: the sanctification of the believer. When I was saved at age 16, I walked back into the world shortly thereafter, got pregnant, got married, had a daughter at barely 19, and got divorced. In-between there was little growth in the Lord, rather my sin covered up the desire for fellowship with other believers and thus precluded an opportunity for growth in the Lord through listening to teaching and singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, as Paul writes in Colossians 3:16. In my adult years, upon my true return to the Lord, I made very conscious decisions to alter behaviors by setting up an environment that would remind me of the Lord, but also keep me accountable. I had to actively disengage from behavior that would have perpetuated a walk solely attuned to the demands and desires of the world. Reminders came in the form of changing from a regular top 40s station to a Christian music station, hanging Bible verses where I could see them during the day, or choosing movies that were edifying. Accountability came in the form of friends whom I felt comfortable discussing my failures with and who would set me lovingly back on the right track towards a 3

Speliopoulos Module 5 - Put Off Flesh, Put On Christ Paper

faithful walk with the Lord. I joined a small group with my husband. I volunteered at church in various ministries allowing me to form healthy friendships. Ultimately though, Jesus prays in His high-priestly prayer in John 17:15-17: My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. In our desire and attempt to put off the flesh and put on Christ, we have to remember that God chose to keep us in the world for the time being, as his instruments in a fallen world. Our sanctification can never mean that we disconnect from those around us who do not know Christ as Savior yet. However, our behavior should be, as far as we can control it, above reproach, so we can be the light and salt Christ called us to be.

Speliopoulos Module 5 - Put Off Flesh, Put On Christ Paper

REFERENCES Bratcher, Robert G., and Eugene Albert Nida. A Handbook on Paul's Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon. Helps for translators; UBS handbook series. New York: United Bible Societies, 1993.