The
Person Transformed By Christ
Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians
from a Roman prison about A.D. 62. It is not known who started the church at
The person transformed by the power
of Christ is risen with Christ. Paul said,
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of
God." (Colossians 3:1.) This is the same thought Paul had addressed in
Colossians 2:12 where he said, "buried with Him in baptism, in which you
also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him
from the dead." These brethren had been baptized into Christ. They had
been buried and raised with Him in baptism. At baptism they were united with
Christ. Thus being united with Christ they should seek to live a life pleasing
to Him.
The person transformed by the power
of Christ will seek Heaven. The mind of the transformed person will be
set on heaven. Paul said, "Set your mind on things above, not on things on
the earth." (Colossians 3:2.) Those who have been baptized into Christ should seek heaven. Their
thoughts and their actions are focused in a heavenly direction. They live
daily with heaven on their minds. Their desire is for that place where,
"...God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more
death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former
things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4.) They have both the heart and
the actions of those longing for heaven.
The person transformed by the power
of Christ is dead to the old life. When a person becomes a Christian
they die to self and sin. Paul said, "For you died, and your life is
hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3.) In becoming a Christian you
die and give your life over to Christ. The Christian lives because Christ lives
in Him. "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20.)
The person transformed by the power
of Christ has a new life. Literally, the Christian has given up the
life of sin to have "new life." This new life is life in Christ.
"When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him
in glory." (Colossians 3:4.) Living the life of Christ causes us to look
to that day when the Lord will appear again. He is coming again! "And if I
go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John
14:3.) "And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up,
behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, Men of Galilee,
why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from
you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into
heaven." (Acts 1:10-11.)
The person transformed by the power
of Christ must put to death sins of the flesh. Paul said,
"Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication,
uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."
(Colossians 3:5.) As Christians we must put to death "the body of the sins
of the flesh." (Colossians 2:11.) Illicit sexual relationships have no
place in the life of a Christian. To avoid sexual sins we must also avoid
"evil desires." Christians must be pure both inwardly and outwardly.
Also covetousness has no place in the life of a transformed person. "For
if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put
to death the deeds of the body, you will live." (Romans 8:13.)
The person transformed by the power of
Christ avoids the wrath of God. God's wrath will be poured out on those
who practice the sins of Colossians 3:5. These people are called children of
disobedience. "Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the
sons of disobedience." (Colossians 3:6.) God's wrath will be poured out
against every sinful act of men. "For the wrath of God is revealed from
heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the
truth in unrighteousness." (Romans 1:18.) "Eternal life to those who
by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey
unrighteousness -- indignation and wrath." (Romans 2:7-8.) But the
transformed person avoids this wrath.
The person transformed by the power
of Christ had before lived a life of sin. Paul said before becoming a
Christian these people both walked and lived in sin. He said, "in which
you yourselves once walked when you lived in them." (Colossians 3:7.)
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the
The person transformed by the power
of Christ puts off anger and hatred. Paul started the discussion in
Colossians 3:5 concerning certain things Christians must rid their lives of.
Now he says, "but now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger,
wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth." (Colossians
3:8.) The list in Colossians 3:5 focused on sexual sins. Now he turns his
attention to anger and hatred. Certain actions have no place in the life of a
Christian. As Christians we must learn to control our tongues and tempers.
The person transformed by the power
of Christ must tell the truth. How could it have been said with more
simplicity? "Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man
with his deeds." (Colossians 3:9.) It is impossible for lying and the
Christian character to coexist.
The person transformed by the power
of Christ must put on the new man. The Colossians had put off the old
man and now they must put on the new man. "That you may walk worthy of
the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing
in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:10.) Christians must walk in
newness of life. (Romans 6:4.) They have learned better and now they must live
better. Now that Christians know, they should continually seek God's
fellowship.
To become a transformed person hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27). After baptism continue to seek that heavenly home.
By Charles Box,