We live in an age obsessed with “branding” and “curation.” Whether it is the clothes we wear, the aesthetics of our social media profiles, or the professional persona we project, we spend an enormous amount of energy trying to tell the world who we are. Yet, despite all this self-expression, we often feel more fragmented than ever. We have a “work self,” a “home self,” and a “Sunday self.”
The Apostle Paul writes to the Colossians to tell them that the Christian life isn’t about curating a persona; it’s about a complete wardrobe change of the soul. He uses the imagery of “putting on” clothes to describe a life that is no longer defined by our past, our anxieties, or our social status, but by the singular identity of being “in Christ.”
Historical Context: Paul’s Concern for Colossae
When Paul wrote this letter from a Roman prison, the young church in Colossae was under pressure from what scholars call the “Colossian Heresy.”1
This was a blend of legalism, mysticism, and early Gnosticism.
Paul’s primary concerns were:
- Syncratism: The believers were trying to mix the Gospel with “shadows”—strange philosophies, angel worship, and rigid dietary laws. Paul wanted them to know that Christ is sufficient.
- Social Division: Colossae was a melting pot of Greeks, Jews, Romans, and Phrygians. In a world defined by rigid class and ethnic boundaries, Paul was concerned that the church would replicate the world’s divisions.
- Ethical Drift: Living in a pagan culture, the temptation to revert to “the old self” (v. 9)—characterized by anger, malice, and impurity—was constant.
Just as the Colossians were tempted to look for fulfillment in philosophy and rules, we are tempted to look for it in productivity and politics. Paul’s message remains a radical disruption: If Christ is everything, then everything we do—from our inner thoughts to our outward actions—must be re-clothed in His character.
The Wardrobe of the New Self
The Message: Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
I. The Christian’s Identity & Inner Garments
Colossians 3:12–13 > “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Cross References
- Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
- 1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…”
Why We Struggle
We often try to “fix” our behavior before we understand our identity. It is difficult to be patient or kind when we feel overlooked or unloved. Furthermore, the world teaches us to protect our rights and hold grudges as a form of self-defense, making forgiveness feel like a sign of weakness.
Know This
Your behavior flows from your position. You are chosen, holy, and dearly loved. These aren’t just nice adjectives; they are your new status in Christ. We do not forgive because the other person deserves it; we forgive because we are living out of the “overflow” of the forgiveness we have already received from the Lord.
II. The Binding Power of Love and Peace
Colossians 3:14–15 > “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Cross References
- 1 Corinthians 13:13 – “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
- Philippians 4:7 – “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Why We Struggle
We tend to treat virtues like a checklist rather than a unified lifestyle. Without love, “kindness” can become condescending and “humility” can become self-pity. Additionally, we often let our anxieties or the chaos of our circumstances “rule” our hearts instead of Christ’s peace.
Know This
Love is the “belt” or “outer garment” that holds every other virtue in place. Without it, the Christian life unravels. The word “rule” (v. 15) carries the idea of an umpire. When there is a conflict in your heart or your church, let the peace of Christ be the final judge that decides your reaction.
III. The Indwelling Word and the Life of Worship
Colossians 3:16–17 > “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Cross References
- Psalm 119:11 – “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Why We Struggle
We often relegate “the Word” to a Sunday morning sermon or a 5-minute devotion. We also tend to divide our lives into “sacred” (church) and “secular” (work/home). This fragmentation makes it hard to see how a spreadsheet, a diaper change, or a commute can be an act of worship.
Know This
The Word of God is meant to “dwell” (to live and make a home) in us. When we are saturated with Scripture, our natural response is song and gratitude. Verse 17 provides the ultimate “litmus test” for the Christian: If you cannot do it in the name of Jesus, you shouldn’t be doing it at all.
Summary Application
HEAD – What to Understand
Understand that the Christian life is an “exchange.” We have taken off the old self and must now intentionally “put on” the character of Christ. This is not legalism; it is the natural expression of being God’s chosen and loved child.
HEART – What to Feel
Feel the security of being “dearly loved.” When your heart is anchored in the fact that God has already accepted you, the pressure to perform for others fades, and genuine gratitude begins to take root.
HAND – What to Do
Identify one “garment” (compassion, kindness, humility, etc.) that you have been leaving in the closet. Practice one specific act this week that expresses that virtue, doing it explicitly in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Key Takeaways
- Identity Precedes Activity: You act like a child of God because you are a child of God.
- Forgiveness is a Mandate: We are conduits of grace, not just consumers of it.
- The Umpire of Peace: Let Christ’s peace settle the disputes in your mind and your relationships.
- Total Integration: There is no part of a believer’s life—work, play, or rest—that falls outside the Lordship of Jesus.
Close
Colossians 3:12–13 > “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”