In Colossians 3:15-17, Paul continues to make practical application that flows from our new life in Christ. Specifically, he teaches us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, let the message of Christ dwell among us, and do everything in the name of the Lord. In today's message, we dive deep into each one of those areas to see how it specifically applies to us today!

In this section, Paul describes the clothes (virtues/actions) of someone who is a new creation in Christ. These clothes are the outworking of an inward transformation and reality that Jesus works through us.

Colossians 3:12-14...Colossians 3:12-14...12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

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Paul begins the practical section of this letter by giving a list of things to get rid of as a new creation in Christ. The image is that of taking off dirty clothes that don't fit with who you are any longer. The perspective Paul gives is that these commands are not prescriptions to be a better Christian but rather descriptions of who you no longer are in Christ.

Colossians 3:5-11... 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.