The Victorious Life

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colossae (Colossians). His concern was the false teachers and false teaching that posed a threat to the simple faith received by those chosen of God, holy and beloved (Col 3:12). Satan is the deceiving spirit behind all false doctrine (1 Tim 4:1). The devil and his demons are liars (Jn 8:44); and they have been from the beginning of human history (Gen 3).

Local churches must be vigilant in preserving and promoting sound doctrine (1 Tim 4:6; Titus 1:9; 2:1). Cults, heretics, and even other religions will attempt to deceive faithful Christians by distorting the Word of God (1 Tim 6:3; 2 Tim 4:3), especially the Word (message) about Christ. In Colossians 3:12–17, the Apostle to the Gentiles continues to add more Christology to what he has already written in chapters one and two. Beginning at 3:1, and through the end of the book, we are given practical encouragement for right Christian living.

The “we” in view are the elect of God (Gk. eklektoi). The Apostle includes the doctrine of election in many of his letters (Rom 8:29–30, 33; 9:15–18; 11:5–7, 28; Col 3:12; 1 Thess 1:4; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Tim 5:21; 2 Tim 2:10; Titus 1:1–2). Believers in Jesus did not self-will nor did they self-generate a faith that is able to receive Christ (Jn 1:12–13); rather, it is by the new birth that one becomes a spiritual man (1 Cor 2:15; 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 1:13–14).

Receiving the Spirit of Christ is life from the dead for the soul (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13). Regeneration is to the soul what resurrection is to the physical body. Those who were predestined to election as sons are adopted into God’s family (Eph 1:4–5), when the Spirit of adoption commences His ongoing work in the elect sinner saved by grace (Rom 8:15, 23; Eph 2:8–9).

In God’s predetermined plan and foreknowledge (Acts 2:23), the Father gave His chosen ones to the Son of God (2 Tim 1:9). Jesus, the Son sent from the Father in heaven (Jn 3:16), came into the world to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21). The end goal objective is to present the whole body of His own, His church, His beloved — holy and blameless before God the Father on the last day (Eph 1:4; 5:27; Col 1:22; 3:12; 1 Thess 3:13; 5:23; Jude 1:24).

Knowing this is God’s will, as revealed in God’s Word, we then must embrace that it is God’s work, entirely, from beginning to end. Salvation belongs to the Lord, not to man (Ps 3:8; Jon 2:9; Rev 19:1). In Colossians 3:5–11, one reads of the vices that require repentance and renewal (immorality; impurity; passion; evil desire, greed; anger; wrath; malice; slander; abusive speech; etc.). The natural man must put off the old self/world and put on the new self (Rom 6:6: Eph 4:22; Col 3:9). He is, however, helpless to do so (Gen 6:5; Is 64:6; Jer 17:9; Rom 3:10–12; Eph 2:1–3, 12).

We must never forget that He who did this very thing for us is the Spirit of Christ at regeneration (Jn 3:1–8; Eph 1:13; 1 Pet 1:3). He who began this good work in us, will complete His work unto the day of Christ Jesus (Rom 8:30; Phil 1:6). Today, virtue is being manifest in us by the Holy Spirit, employing the Word of truth to sanctify the saints of God (Jn 17:17). The result is compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (3:12).

The fruit of the Spirit is the product of the grace of God (Gal 5:22–23), that is, God working His will in each child of God (Phil 2:13; 1 Jn 3:1). God’s will for His chosen ones is conformity to Christ, His perfect Son (Rom 8:29). The more the Christian sees Christ, the more he or she becomes like Him. Therefore, every believer is to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18). We proclaim Him.

It is ever the devil’s work to distort the doctrine of Christ or distract people away from knowing God in Christ. Those chosen of God must love the truth (2 Thess 2:10) and pursue the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:24; 2 Tim 2:25) because some never do, (2 Tim 3:7) which has negative consequences (Heb 10:26).

Christians remain in their bodies of sins and death despite this new life manifesting in their souls (Rom 7:24; 2 Cor 5:17). Christ now lives in those born again of God (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11). Instead of the old life of atheism or works-based religion, the new man “in Christ” by God’s doing (1 Cor 1:30), now lives by faith in the Son of God (Gal 2:20). The child of God walks by the Spirit (Gal 5:16, 25), in faith, trusting God to accomplish what concerns us (Ps 57:2; 138:8). What concerns us is doing God’s will. It is our ambition to please God (2 Cor 5:9); and that is accomplished by faith in the promises of God’s holy Word (Heb 11:6).

Walking in a manner worthy of the Lord means we bear with our brothers and sisters (Col 1:10; 1 Thess 2:12; 1 Jn 2:6), always forgiving because we have been forgiven so much (3:13). The forgiveness of all our sins (Eph 1:7; 1 Jn 1:7, 9), as believers, came at the cost of Jesus’ own life at the hands of evil men. By God’s design, Jesus went to the cross and bore our sins in His body on the cursed tree (1 Pet 2:24). Knowing the purchase price for our redemption (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 1:19), every Christian should be humble in dealing with others.

The love of God in Christ for His elect, redeemed people is the glue that holds the church together in unity (3:14). He loved us in the most marvelous way (Rom 5:5, 8; 1 Jn 4:19); and He has commanded His disciples to love Him back (Dt 6:5), along with loving our neighbors as ourselves (Rom 13:8–10). We have peace with God through the mediation of Christ Jesus (Rom 5:1); and this warrants we do our utmost to be at peace with all men (Rom 12:18).

The peace of Christ rules in our hearts (3:15). Christ Himself is our peace (Eph 2:14); and this is why we have the peace that passes all comprehension (Phil 4:7). Christ is the anchor for the believer’s soul (Heb 6:19) through the tumult of this world.

God has spoken to us, His beloved, in His Son (Heb 1:2). The Word of Christ is the source of every believer’s faith (Rom 10:17). We are brought forth by the Word (Jas 1:18); which gave us life to begin with (Jn 6:63), and which continues to produce abundant life in us (Jn 10:10). Every aspect of every Christian’s life should be done directly to the Lord (3:17, 23). It a labor of love to serve the Lord because it is His Spirit at work in and through us (Phil 2:13).

Spirit-filled Christians serve as witnesses to all that God has done and is doing in our lives (Acts 1:8). We love one another in that process because the world is watching us as a peculiar people (Dt 14:2; 1 Pet 2:9). They know us by our love for one another (Jn 13:35). They watch in wonder as we bear one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2). When they ask about the hope within us (1 Pet 3:15), we declare the victory of Jesus Christ that made us alive to God.

God causes us to follow in the triumphant parade of our Victor victorious (2 Cor 2:14). We follow in faith, which is our victory (1 Jn 5:4). We are not ashamed of the message about Christ because He is the power of God unto salivation for every believer (Rom 1:16–17; 1 Cor 1:24). Therefore, let us encourage one another to press on with this high calling (Phil 3:14)…a victorious life.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

March 24, 2024

Colossians 3:12–17