Sermon Summary- Colossians 3.5-7, “The Life of the New Man: Vices to Avoid” (continued)

In the last post we saw:

I. The list of requirements for the new life: put to death sins of sensuality (vs. 5)

Now let’s look at the second point…

II. The line of reasoning for the new life: the reality of God’s wrath (vss. 6-7)

Paul’s first line of reasoning as to why the believer must put sin to death centers upon the wrath of God. Several things need to be noted here. First, the wrath is described as something that will come. Thus, Paul specifically has in mind the wrath of hell (see 2 Thess. 1:8-10). Secondly, the wrath is defined as wrath that will come upon the “sons of disobedience” (see Eph. 5:6). Therefore, Paul specifically has in mind the wrath of hell that only comes upon those who never become the sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ (see I Thess. 5:9; Rom. 5:9). Third, in vs. 7 Paul is clear that the Colossians do not fit into that category (“sons of disobedience”). The Colossian believers “once walked” in the sins described in vs. 5 when they “were living in them”. But as the beginning part of this letter bears out, they are now secure in Christ their Lord (see Col. 1:3-4).

Let’s be clear. Paul’s reasoning for the believer to kill sin is based upon the reality (hell) that is reserved for sons of Adam who fail to repent of their sins and turn to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Calvin says that in this text God brings before our minds the punishment appointed for the unbelieving so “that beholding it in the reprobate, we may be deterred from sinning” (Calvin, Calvin’s Commentary, Vol. XXI, 209). In other words, the reality of God’s eternal wrath on sinners serves to prevent saints from sinning. This is the same thing as saying that this warning serves to encourage believers to slaughter the sin in their lives.

Now the question becomes, “How does this work?” In other words, how can a reality (hell) that believers will never experience serve to encourage the personal killing of sin? That is like me telling my daughter to stop jumping on the couch. And then I follow that command by saying something like, "Well, you need to stop jumping on the couch, but I will not punish you for it. Punishment is reserved only for other children of other parents." Everyone knows that is not the way to parent. There is nothing in what I said that will prevent the child from jumping on the couch. So again I ask, how does Paul's reasoning work to encourage the putting off of sin? Well, it helps to see that Paul is not really focusing on the wrath of God. That is only a minor aspect of his overall point. In reality, his emphasis is the believer’s new status before God the Father. Let me explain. As we have seen, when someone comes to faith in Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God gives him a new nature. This new nature grants for us a new status- that of adopted sons of God. We are no longer considered “sons of disobedience” from God’s vantage point. Rather, we are viewed and accepted as sons. Let me illustrate. The other day I was getting ready for church in the bathroom when my son crawled from the kitchen to the bathroom, found a comfortable place, sat down, and just watched my every move. He made no sounds. He sat still as could be and just gazed up at me. Now, there is nothing in my appearance that is particularly great to behold, but that was not the point. Sons naturally want to be like their dads, even at age one. That is the point that Paul is making here in Colossians 3:6-7- sons want to be like their dads.

Paul is telling the Colossians about the wrath of God for one reason. It is so that the Colossians will see God’s character reflected through the mirror of His wrath. It works like this. As the Colossians see God’s wrath poured out on sinners because of the sins listed in vs. 5, they are reminded that God’s wrath comes upon sinners who commit the sin described in vs. 5 precisely because those activities do not match God’s character. And because the Colossians have been given a new nature, they have a new character. In fact, they now possess God’s character (see 2 Pet. 1:4!). Hence, they desire their lives to match God’s character as much as possible in this lifetime (see Eph. 5:1-6). Thus, believers are encouraged to put sin to death by Paul’s line of reasoning due to their new nature (in Christ) that now desires to be like God in every way. In other words, sons of God want to be like their Father in heaven. They will mimic Him as beloved children (see specifically Eph. 5:1).

Prophesying about the people of the new covenant (i.e. the church), the prophet Ezekiel foretold that there would come a day when salvation would come and new hearts would be given. The hearts of stone, possessed by sons of disobedience, would be replaced with soft hearts (hearts of flesh). And God would enter those hearts through His Spirit to dwell forever. In addition, this Spirit would cause these people, who are now full-fledged sons of God, to walk in God’s statutes rather than sin. In fact, these people would now be careful to observe God’s standards of holy character (see Ezekiel 36:25-27!). These people would constitute the true Israel- the church.

In the final analysis, only the Spirit of God can change a heart Godward. This is only possible because of Christ’s atoning work of redemption! Praise God for His wondrous plan of grace for sinners. Do you know Him? He can change your heart too.