colossians 3

Colossians 3

1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And 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.

Christ… all…
He is firstly Creator,
then Saviour,
then Shepherd, Lord, Master, King, Priest/Intercessor and Friend.

For me, with me, in me and through me…

For me…

Though I was previously a coward, a wretched and wicked sinner, and though I fear His Almighty and Righteous judgement, I have been saved by grace and am justified by faith in the sacrifice of the sinless Jesus in God’s marvellous plan of redemption.

Though I was previously in despair and had no future because I could never measure up to the perfect standard of a holy God, I now have the hope of salvation that I will one day be made perfect in Him.


With me….
though I was previously in the darkness, in the world, tossed by the waves of the sea of false teaching and confusion of the world, I now have a safe harbour, a strong tower of refuge, and my foundation is no longer sinking sand, but a firm rock.

Though I was previously lost in the wilderness, without a guide, now I have a Shepherd who leads me through quiet waters and green pastures, and his rod and staff comfort me, and I know that He is the good shepherd who lay down his life for me, and found me when I was lost, and I am now safe from the thief who seeks only to steal, kill and destroy.

Though I was previously alone and an alien, I am now part of a family that will never end, and my Creator is no longer a distant God, I know I have been redeemed into an inheritance and access into the most intimate relationship with the Father through Jesus the perfect sacrifice and the firstborn. And one day, I will be at home with my heavenly family as Jesus has promised that he is preparing many rooms for us.

Though I was previously in darkness, blind and lost, without a destination, I am now guided by his Light. I know he is the only way to go to the Father, though it is the narrow way, and as I journey through this world I know that I am only a sojourner on my way home.

Though I used to toil for my meaningless existence and my days were seeking in vain for purpose and to seek righteousness, I now have a Master who calls all who are weary to follow him for his yoke is light and his burden is easy.

And though he is my Master, he has also called me Friend, for a servant does not know his master’s business, but Jesus has revealed to me, his Heart, his plans, and included me in the destiny of his kingdom.

In me…
Though I was the worst of sinners, he loved me before I even knew him, and he saved me from my sin to show his great love. He gave me a new identity, a new life, a new heart, a new Master, freedom from slavery to sin, a new purpose, a new hope…
and he showed me the way to love, for he is love, and he showed me the way to righteousness, for he is perfect. He showed me how to be a servant, for he was a servant.

He is my sustenance, for He is the bread of life, and living water and he is sweet as honey.

He gives me abundance, for he has riches beyond imagination, and he says that even the splendour of Solomon could not compare with the lilies of the field, and he promises that I am much more precious than them, so I know he cares for me, and will supply all my needs.



He gives me power, for when I am weak, then he is strong.

I am renewed daily by His word which is Truth, and His Spirit which is the breath of life. Everything in me is as a sacrifice of thanksgiving and worship to my God.

He is in me as I train to run the race to win the crowns for which I have been called. He is in me as I work in the fields for His harvest. He is in me as I wear the armour of God to fight in the battle.

He is in me… and though I struggle to obey His will, he enables me to put off the old self with old sinful habits and ways for I am a new creation in him.

His spirit is in me, and I am in Him, for He is the vine and I am a branch connected to him, and in Him I will bear fruit, much fruit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Even as the psalmist longed to dwell in the house of the Lord forever, my body is now the temple of God and he dwells in me. And I am to be holy as he is holy.

My mind is renewed in him, for he has not given me a spirit of fear or timidity but of power, love, self-discipline, sound mind. I am reborn so that I may be like him, not captive to the false and hollow deceptive philosophies of the world, but transformed to understand the will and heart of God.


Through me….
I am His ambassador, I am his witness, I am a part of the Body of Christ.

I pray that the world sees me, and Christ in me, and through me, they see Christ.

Through me may the love of Christ flow,
may the nations be blessed, starting with my neighbour.

Through me, may the body of Christ be encouraged, built up, strengthened, discipled, matured and united.

Through me may the glory of God be revealed to the praise of the Father.

Through me, may God’s peace be revealed to others for he gives not as the world gives, but those whose minds are set on him will have perfect peace.

Through me, may others know wisdom, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Through me may God’s kingdom in heaven come to earth.

Through me may you be blessed.