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 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 Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.       

In the previous verses we were encouraged to set our hearts and minds on things above. The reason for this becomes clearer when Paul enumerates the things that belong to the earthly nature. It is a list of things that come from our fallen, sinful condition, doing things contrary to what God would have His people do.

We have all taken notice of these things all around us in the world. There seems to be more and more anger in the world every day. Filthy language is all around us. On our cruise, we heard expletives coming from the mouths of people of all ages with no regard for the people around, including families with small children. Lies are so commonplace that you don’t think you can believe what anyone tells you, especially not politicians.

Those without Christ in their lives live this way. Those who follow Jesus should not.

“You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these…”

When you have been led to faith in your Savior, it changes things. The certainty of sin forgiven and life eternal gives you the motivation to live the new life to which Jesus calls you. You want to express the profound gratitude that you have by living as his loved, obedient child. Knowing He died in your place, paid the consequences your sin deserved, and delivered you from damnation makes a huge difference in who you are and how you should live. You also know that saying “thank you” does not earn your forgiveness and salvation. Rather, you live lives of gratitude knowing you already have these things for Jesus’ sake.