If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,

.... where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:1, 2).  Paul had been talking about how religious observances alone have no value in restraining sensual indulgence (2:23). He goes on to remind us that we died with Christ (verse3) and were raised with Him to new life. In this morning's verses then,  he admonishes to seek those things which are above. It's about seeking first the Kingdom and His righteousness  (Matthew 6:33). The rest of chapter 3 is a practical exposition of what this means. It is about putting to death, putting off,  the sinful nature and embracing,  that is  putting on the characteristics of the new.  When we are in Christ, we are a new creation, the old has gone, all things are new (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have a part to play, and part of it is embracing the new mindset, the new perspective. We are to see ourselves seated  with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:3).

Some of the things then that we are to put off, to put to death are sexual immorality, impurity, lust,  greed (verse 5), anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language (verse 8).  But this is only half of the equation. The saying “nature abhors vacuum” comes to mind. If after we have emptied ourselves of these things we don't replace them with the positive, something else will rush in. In particular it is far too easy to replace our addictions with different ones.  I did that, bought the T-shirt! Jesus put it this way, that when the house is clean, swept and empty,  seven more devils come in (Matthew 12:44, 45).

So then rather than simply concentrating on getting rid of the bad, we are to replace the bad with the good. And these things include putting on  tender mercies, kindness, humility longsuffering;  bearing with one another, forgiving one another, putting on love, letting the peace of God rule in our hearts and being thankful (verses 12-15). Part of how we do this is to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom. We are to teach one another (not just the Pastors), we are to admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing to the Lord with grace in our hearts (verses 16, 17). We need to sing more than just choruses, and we need to sing to Him not just about Him. Paul sums this all up by saying  “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (verse 17).

Father, Paul is talking here about sanctification, growing in the Christian life. He is not talking about justification, it's not about earning our salvation. It is about glorifying You in our bodies, and Lord we fall pretty far short of these things at times. Thank You for Your forgiveness. But again with Paul,  we choose to forget those things which are behind, the good the bad and the ugly,  and with Your help press towards the goal of the high calling in Christ (Philippians 3:13, 14). We give You thanks and praise again this morning Lord, and we give You all the glory in Jesus Name Amen