Colossian :Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

Colossians 3 is a chapter of the New Testament that emphasizes the importance of living a life focused on Christ and embodying his virtues. It addresses various aspects of Christian behavior and relationships, including the need to put aside worldly desires and to treat others with love and respect. Here is a summary of the key points in the chapter:

1. Christians are called to set their hearts and minds on heavenly things (verses 1-4).
2. Believers are to put to death their earthly nature, which includes sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed (verses 5-9).
3. The old self is to be replaced with the new self, which is continually being renewed in the image of God (verses 10-11).
4. Believers should clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and forgive one another as the Lord forgave them (verses 12-13).
5. The peace of Christ should rule in their hearts, and they should be united in love (verses 14-15).
6. The message of Christ should be central in their lives, guiding their words and actions (verses 16-17).
7. Specific instructions are given for the roles within Christian households:
   - Wives are to submit to their husbands.
   - Husbands are to love their wives.
   - Children are to obey their parents.
   - Fathers are not to exasperate their children.
   - Slaves are to obey their masters and work for the Lord (verses 18-25).

The chapter concludes with the reminder that all actions, whether in work or in family life, should be done in the name of Jesus, with an awareness of serving the Lord and expecting a heavenly reward without partiality (verses 22-25).