Clothed with Christ
Colossians 3:5-17
International Sunday School Lesson
February 17, 2013
Commentary
By
Jed Greenough
How do you clothe yourself? One leg or arm at a time. First the foot or hand or head go through the opening and the rest follows. It is a step by step process we don’t even think about but one that doesn’t happen by itself. So also is the process of living holy.
Rather ironic isn’t it? There is nothing works wise we can do to be justified in God’s sight but there is much to do to live holy lives in His sight.
The analogy that Paul uses to clothe oneself is really apt as we discussed that there is a process to be followed in order for it to work. Just like putting your head through the proper opening of a t-shirt is the only way it works we have to start with our heads. What I mean is our minds.
Paul says in the not included verse 2, “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” It takes a proper mindset to do the rest of what is included in today’s scripture. Having your thoughts immersed in anger or lust it will be impossible to be forgiving or humble. But concentrating for instance instead on Christ’s love we are able to love, be humble or forgive.
It is also a constant thing. We find success and sometimes we relax and wake up to realize we have become back sliders. Rather than being dejected we must brush ourselves off and start anew. But having experience rather like riding a bike we aren’t really starting from scratch and we really aren’t doing it alone.
This process many of us know by the name of sanctification comes with a big help if we remember it in that we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit who will help us even when we don’t know what to ask for.
Sometimes we may doubt this but our desiring to live holy lives is proof positive that it is so. Romans 8 tells us that this is what the Spirit desires. “The sinful mind however is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.”
You want to please God but you fail sometimes. Those who aren’t his have no desire to please Him. Quit beating yourself up for falling from time to time and literally forgive yourself. The process takes time but it does require effort.
Let’s go back to this idea of clothing yourself. You ever wear something for the first time and feel really awkward? Maybe it was high heels or a hat. Maybe it was a suit or a new hairstyle. Sure it did feel weird at first but if you stuck with it long enough it became like a second skin for you. Living holy is like that too.
For Discussion:
1. Discuss why we still sin.
2. Discuss different ways we can make it easier on ourselves to live holy lives.
3. Discuss prejudice in light of verse 11.
4. Discuss where you are particularly weak and where you think you are doing better.
5. Have people share positive success examples so as to help others.
6. Read Romans 6.
7. Discuss verse 16.
Upcoming Adult Sunday School Class Commentaries
2-24-13: Disciplined for Life aka Spiritual Disciplines for New Life Colossians 4:2-17 or 4:2-6
3-3-13: Daniel’s Vision of Change Daniel 7:1-3, 9-14 or 7:9-14
3-10-13: Daniel’s Prayer Daniel 9:4-14, 17 or 9:4b-14
3-17-13: Gabriel Interprets Daniel’s Vision aka Gabriel’s Interpretation Daniel 8:1, 15-26 or 8:19-26
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved
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