Christian Obedience in Two Words
By Michael Kelley
Colossians chapter 3 marks a turning point in the book. The first two chapters have been about the supremacy of Christ in all things, and that in Christ, we are complete. Remember chapter 1?
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross (Colossians 1:15-20).
And remember chapter 2?
Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ. For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority (Colossians 2:8-10).
Chapters 1 and 2 are about the objective reality of who Christ is and what we have been given in Him. Now here, in chapter 3, he turns the corner to help the Colossians see how they should behave in light of the supremacy of Christ and our completeness in Him. These last two chapters are about how the Christian should change his or her behavior. And Paul will address the specific character traits we are to put on, the practices we should take off, how we should treat each other within a congregation, how we should work in the marketplace, and how our homes should function.
But once again, the behavior of Colossians 3 comes after the doctrine of chapters 1-2. And that order matters. To put it another way, understanding who Jesus is and who we are in Him doesn’t just change our behavior; it changes the way we approach behavior.
We behave as a reflection of who Jesus is, and who He has made us to be in Him. We don’t behave in order to become something different; we behave BECAUSE we have already become something different.
There is a great freedom that comes with that, because it means that every time you choose all the things Paul is going to tell you to choose in the next two chapters, you are behaving according to who you are in Christ. Conversely, every time you choose not to obey the commands of Scripture it’s like you’re putting on a mask and behaving like someone you used to be.
This is where two words come in. Two simple words that summarize all the specific behaviors Paul is going to describe in the next two chapters. What are those two words?
Set, and seek.
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Col. 3:1-2).
Seek the things above. In your actions and choices, seek first the kingdom of God. Exercise your will in order to choose what you know to be good and right and God-honoring. And set your minds on things above - think about things of God and let them consume your mind. Fill your mind not with things that pull you down to earth, but instead lift you upward where Christ is already seated. And every time you seek, and every time you set, remember that you are becoming more and more like the new person in Christ that you have already become. You are bringing your behavior in line with your new identity.
Michael Kelley is a husband, father of three, author, and speaker from Nashville, TN. His latest book is a year-long family devotional guide called The Whole Story for the Whole Family. Find his personal blog at michaelkelley.co.