Putting Christ First: New Life in Practice. Colossians 3:18-4:1

Putting Christ First: New Life in Practice

Colossians 3:18-4:1

Social Structures

• Paul’s focus here is show how our new identity in Christ is not meant to undo existing social structures
  • But rather to transform us in them
• That being said: Read your own mail!
  • Focus on what God is calling you to do
  • Not on what others should be doing

 

Putting Christ First at Home (3:18-21)

• Wives are called to submit to their husbands
  • Submit (hypotassō): Suggests a voluntary willingness to recognize and put oneself under the leadership of another
    • It is to recognize a relationship of order established by God (v. 18b)
    • But it is conditioned by the husband’s submission to God (see Eph. 5:22)
  • Husbands are called to love their wives
    • Like Christ loves His Church (see Eph. 5:23)
      • Sacrificially
    • “Do not be harsh”= Do not make them bitter, resentful
    • This was counter-cultural
  • Children are called to obey their parents
    • Obey: follow their instructions
      • Again, as long as it is not in contradiction with God’s truth
    • This pleases God because it means we are living under His rule for our lives (see Eph. 6:1-3; Ex. 20:12)
  • Fathers* are called to be encouraging to their children
    • Not give rules for rules’ sake
    • Not irritate or embitter
    • Again, this was counter-cultural

 

Putting Christ First at Work (3:22-4:1)

• Bondservant ≠ slaves like in US history
  • They were employees for a fixed period of time
  • Who were often well compensated
  • And were rarely forced into labor
  • The modern equivalent would be employees
• Masters = employers/bosses
• Employees are called to obey their bosses
  • Not just when they are looking
  • Not to just get ahead
  • But, by way of service to God
    • The Lord is every Christian’s true Master
  • Bosses are called to treat their employees well
    • Not exploiting them
    • Not making things unnecessarily hard on them
    • Treating them like God treats you
      • Because you both have the same Boss over you

 

What if they aren’t Christians?

• What if my spouse, or my children, or my boss, or my employer is not a Christian, am I required to still act this way?
• Yes, and even more so!
  • Because your behavior to them is a testimony to the God you serve to them
  • You are the Gospel they are reading!

 

So What?

• If we are new in Christ:
  • How we treat our family should reflect that
  • How we act at work should convey that
• Are you new in Jesus?
  • Is our life showing that to those around us?

Meditation Verse: Col. 3:23