In Colossians 3, we see a move from commands for the home to commands for the workplace. Is it easy for you to see the work environment as a place where God has influence? Scripture says that work can reflect God’s created order and intended heart. So, consider this in the workplace: Do good work; value people.

An epistle, such as Colossians, has doctrine, application, and personal touches. As we see in Colossians 3:12-17, Paul is explaining not only to avoid empty philosophy and powerless arguments, he begins to articulate what specific things a Christian should do to push back against the wisdom of the age. And verse 17 teaches that no matter what your lot in life, live it as if Jesus had asked you for it.

When Jesus is at the center of your life, your true identity is revealed. And, while sin is still in your story, it’s no longer who you are. As we read in Colossians 3:9, “…  seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

Since we’ve been given new life in Jesus, we cultivate that new life by seeking and setting our minds on heavenly things, instead of earthly things. The world tries to tell us what we should be seeking to better ourselves. Being focused on things above actually puts us in the best position to have the most impactful life here on earth.

In Colossians, Paul asserts that the gospel is sufficient to answer to the culture around us. While this is true, does it actually feel sufficient to you as a response to the pressure and content of the world? Consider this: since pulling away from world views will cause push back, it’s important to continuously lean in to and promote the gospel.

In Colossians, we see that Paul struggles for the Gospel like Jesus suffered for the Gospel. In other words, he labors because he is convinced that the Gospel is sufficient because Jesus is preeminent . And he believes that you have to let go of the things you believe are wisdom and knowledge to make room for Jesus.  

This first message in the series, Colossians, takes a look at the goals of a book study — get confident to read on your own and know the book. We see in Colossians 1 that God is the creator of all things, good and bad, so we should lean in and pray for all situations.  

God often interrupts you to lead you. Considering this, do you listen for, respond to, and interact with Him? Wherever you are in this, as you move forward, be attentive and responsive to His nudges — the sudden, deep-down sense that God wants you to do something inconvenient for Him.

We are created for relationship at the expense of ourselves. Marriage is one of those relationships that is massively meaningful, revealing the depths of relational sacrifice and selflessness. Consider how marriage calls us to give of ourselves wholly, reflecting the selfless love Christ has for His church. And, when we reflect Christ's love, our marriage is better.

We read in the Bible that Paul thinks it can be a very good thing for a Christian to not marry. He shifts the calling to invest your life in a mate into investing your life into others in a church. Consider what good and fulfillment can come from a single person investing in others. We also see that whether a person is married or single, they are created for relationship.