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<h2><a onclick="return mV('Col',3,'all');">Col 3</a> - Put Off, Put On</h2>
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<p>A. Put off the old man.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('Col',3,'1-4');">1-4</a>) The basis for Paul's practical instruction.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ <i>who is</i> our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">If then you were raised with Christ</span></b>: Paul begins a section where he focuses on practical Christian living. But practical Christian living is built on the foundation of theological truth. Because we know that Jesus is really raised from the dead, then our identification with Him becomes real. It is only because we <b><span class="c3">were raised with Christ</span></b> that we can <b><span class="c3">seek those things which are above</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Set your mind on things above</span></b>: The best Christian lives from from minds that are fixed on <i>heaven</i>. They realize that their lives are now <b><span class="c3">hidden with Christ in God</span></b>, and since Jesus is enthroned in heaven, their thoughts and hearts are connected to heaven also.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. We are told to <b><span class="c3">seek those things which are above</span></b>, and <b><span class="c3">set</span></b> our <b><span class="c3">mind on things above</span></b>. But how do we practically <b><span class="c3">seek</span></b> and <b><span class="c3">set</span></b>?</p><ul class="c6"><li>By spending time in the Word of God.</li><li>By spending time in prayer.</li><li>By spending time with things that build us up in God instead of merely entertaining us.</li><li>By gathering with others in the Lord.</li></ul>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory</span></b><span>: If we keep our <b><span class="c3">mind</span></b></span> in heaven now, then when Jesus does appear, we will <b><span class="c3">appear with Him in glory</span></b>. Though we wait for Jesus, we can be with Him right now, setting our <b><span class="c3">mind of things above</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('Col',3,'5-7');">5-7</a>) <b><span class="c3">Put to death</span></b> the things that are against God and part of this world.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Therefore put to death your members</span></b>: <b><span class="c3">Therefore</span></b> points back to our identification with the risen and enthroned Lord Jesus mentioned in <a onclick="return mV('Col',3,'1-4');">Col 3:1-4</a>. It's because we understand this fact that we can <b><span class="c3">put to death</span></b> the things in our life that are contrary to our identity with Jesus.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Fornication, uncleanness, passion</span></b> and <b><span class="c3">evil desire</span></b>: Each of these terms refer to sexual sins. <b><span class="c3">Covetousness</span></b> is simple, but insidious greed, and nothing less than <b><span class="c3">idolatry</span></b>. There is no way that Jesus would walk in any of these sins, so if we identify with Him, we won't walk in them either.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Because of these things</span></b>: The sins mentioned previously are part of the way the world lives, not the way Jesus lives. Every Christian is faced with a question: "Who will identify with, the world or Jesus?"</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">The wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience</span></b>: These sins invite <b><span class="c3">the wrath of God</span></b>. Because the world loves this kind of sinful lifestyle, they don't come in humility to Jesus. As they continue in these sins, it adds to their condemnation. One sin is enough to send anyone to hell (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',3,10);">Deu 3:10</a>), but there are greater levels of condemnation (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',23,14);">Mat 23:14</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">i. In part, <b><span class="c3">the wrath of God</span></b> comes as God allows men to continue in sinful - and therefore self-destructive - behavior (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',1,'24-32');">Rom 1:24-32</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">In which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them</span></b>: These sins may mark a world in rebellion against God, but they are in the <i>past tense</i> for the Christian.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Simply put, the Christian should not live like the <b><span class="c3">sons of disobedience</span></b>. A true Christian can not be comfortable in habitual sin.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. Paul says that Christians <b><span class="c3">once walked</span></b> in these sins. It is possible - though tragic - that these sins should occasionally mark a Christian's life, but they must not be a Christian's <b><span class="c3">walk</span></b>, their manner of living.</p>
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<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('Col',3,'8-9');">8-9</a>) Removing all traces of worldliness.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">But now you yourselves are to put off all these</span></b>: The sins Paul next lists (<b><span class="c3">anger, wrath</span></b>, and so forth) are regarded by many as "little" sins that Christians can overlook. Paul challenges us to <b><span class="c3">put off</span></b> the old man in every area of our lives.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie</span></b>: Each of these sins are primarily committed by what we <i>say</i>. When Paul calls the believer to a deeper obedience, he tells us to <i>bridle</i> our <i>tongue</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Jam',1,26);">Jam 1:26</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Jam',3,'1-9');">Jam 3:1-9</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Since you have put off the old man with his deeds</span></b>: The more notorious sins of <a onclick="return mV('Col',3,5);">Col 3:5</a> are easily seen as incompatible with the nature of Jesus. But these "lesser" sins are also incompatible, so <b><span class="c3">put off</span></b> these sins also.</p>
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<p>B. Put on the new man.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('Col',3,'10-11');">10-11</a>) As we put off the old man, we must put on the new man.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>And have put on the new <i>man</i> who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave <i>nor</i> free, but Christ <i>is</i> all and in all.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Put on the new man</span></b>: The phrase Paul used is used for changing a set of clothes. We can almost picture yourself taking off the old and putting on the <b><span class="c3">new man</span></b> in Jesus.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Who is renewed in knowledge</span></b>: The new man is <b><span class="c3">renewed in knowledge</span></b>, he is hungry to know what <i>God says</i> in His Word.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">According to the image of Him who created him</span></b>: The <b><span class="c3">image</span></b> of God is being restored in the new man, and restored through the knowledge of God.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Man is created in the image of God, so he is an object of Satanic hatred. Satan wants to deface that image in rebellion and degradation, though it can never be obliterated. God's plan is to restore His image in us.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free</span></b>: The new man is part of a family, which favors no race, nationality, class, culture or ethnicity. It only favors Jesus, because in this new family, <b><span class="c3">Christ is all and in all</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('Col',3,'12-17');">12-17</a>) Life of the new man.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Therefore, as <i>the</i> elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also <i>must do</i></span>. <span>But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And <i>whatever</i> you do in word or deed, <i>do</i> all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Therefore, as the elect of God</span></b>: The new man is <b><span class="c3">elect of God</span></b>. This means that God has <i>chosen</i> the Christian, and chosen him to be something special in His plan. "<b><span class="c3">Elect</span></b>" is a word that frightens some, but it should be taken as a comfort and as a destiny to fulfill.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility</span></b>: Each one of the qualities mentioned in this passage express themselves in relationships. A significant measure of our Christian life is found simply in how we treat people.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Remember the criteria Jesus gave regarding how the world could judge His people: <i>By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',13,35);">Jhn 13:35</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. Each of these qualities also tell us what it means to live in the nature of Jesus, as <a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,'1-11');">Phl 2:1-11</a> describes.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do</span></b>: We are told to live <b><span class="c3">forgiving one another</span></b>, after the pattern of Jesus' forgiveness towards us.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Forgiveness is a promise, made in response to repentance, to completely reconcile and to put the offense out of one's mind. When a person says "I'll forgive but I won't forget," they don't understand what forgiveness is.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. The promise of forgiveness, as with the pattern of Christ's forgiveness, is not made to the unrepentant, but to those who even show the slightest promise of repentance (<a onclick="return mV('Luk',17,'3-4');">Luk 17:3-4</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. If an offending party is unrepentant, it does no good for the offended one to hold on to their hurt and bitterness. Even if true forgiveness and reconciliation cannot be made because there is no recognition of wrong, the offended party still <i>can</i> and <i>must</i> give it to the Lord God and make the promise of forgivenss unto God. We can do this after the pattern of Jesus in <a onclick="return mV('Luk',23,34);">Luk 23:34</a>.</p>
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<p class="c5">iv. If we do this, it will be evident by a lack of bitterness and resentment towards the offending party, and a willingness to restore the relationship at the slightest evidence of repentance.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">Above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection</span></b>: <b><span class="c3">Love</span></b> is the summary of all the things described in this passage. Love perfectly fulfills what God requires of us in relationships.</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body</span></b><span>:</span> The rule of <b><span class="c3">the peace of God</span></b> means that <b><span class="c3">peace</span></b> should <i>characterize</i> the community of God's people, and that <b><span class="c3">peace</span></b> is a standard for discerning God's will.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. The phrase <b><span class="c3">let the peace of God rule in your hearts</span></b> could also be translated, "Let the peace of God be the umpire in your life." We allow the peace of God, in accordance with His Word, to say "fair" or "foul" in our life.</p>
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<p class="c4">f. <b><span class="c3">Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs</span></b><span>:</span> The new man walks in the Word, and in worship with other believers.</p>
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<p class="c4">g. <b><span class="c3">Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus</span></b>: The new man lives his life, <b><span class="c3">all</span></b> his life, for Jesus.</p>
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<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('Col',3,'18-19');">18-19</a>) The new man's marriage relationship.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.</span></p>
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<p class="c4"><span>a. <b><span class="c3">Wives, submit</span></b></span>: The ancient Greek word translated <b><span class="c3">submit</span></b> is essentially a word borrowed from the military. It literally means "to be under in rank." It speaks of the way that an army is organized among levels of rank. You have Generals and Colonels and Majors and Captains and Sergeants and Privates. There are levels of rank, and you are obligated to respect those in higher rank.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. We know that as a person, a Private can be smarter, more talented, and a better person than a General. But he is still <i>under rank</i> to the General. He isn't submitted to the General so much as a <i>person</i> as he is to the General as a <i>General</i>. In the same way, the wife doesn't submit to her husband because he <i>deserves</i> it. She submits because he is her husband.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. The idea of submission doesn't have anything to do with someone being smarter or better or more talented. It has to do with a God-appointed order. "Anyone who has served in the armed forces knows that 'rank' has to do with order and authority, not with value or ability." (Wiersbe)</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. Submission does not mean inferiority. Submission does not mean silence. Submission means "sub-mission." There is a mission for your marriage, and that mission is obeying and glorifying God. The wife says, "I'm going to put myself under that <i>mission</i>. That <i>mission</i> is more important than my individual desires. I'm not putting myself below my husband, I'm putting myself below the <i>mission</i> God has for our marriage, for my life."</p>
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<p class="c5">iv. Submission means you are part of a team. If the family is a team, then the husband is "captain" of the team. The wife has her place in relation to the "captain," and the children have their place in relation to the "captain" and the wife.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Wives, submit to your own husbands</span></b>: This defines the <i>sphere</i> of a wife's submission - to her <b><span class="c3">own husband</span></b>. The Bible never commands nor recommends a <i>general</i> submission of women unto men. It is commanded only in the spheres of the home and in the church. God does not command that men have exclusive authority in the areas of politics, business, education, and so on.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">As is fitting in the Lord</span></b>: This is a crucial phrase. It colors everything else we understand about this passage. There have been two man "wrong" interpretations of this phrase, each favoring a certain "position."</p>
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<p class="c5">i. The interpretation that "favors" the husband says that <b><span class="c3">as is fitting in the Lord</span></b> means that a wife should submit to her husband as if he were God himself. The idea is "you submit to God in absolutely everything without question, so you must submit to your husband in the same absolute way." This thinks that <b><span class="c3">as is fitting in the Lord</span></b> defines the <i>extent</i> of submission. But this is wrong. Simply put, <i>in no place</i> does the Scripture say that a person should submit to another in that way. There are limits to the submission your employer can expect of you. There are limits to the submission the government can expect of you. There are limits to the submission parents can expect of children. In no place does the Scripture teach an unqualified, without exception, submission – except to God and God alone. To violate this is to commit the sin of idolatry.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. The interpretation that "favors" the wife says that <b><span class="c3">as is fitting in the Lord</span></b> means "I'll submit to him as long as he does what the Lord wants." And then it is the wife's job to decide what the Lord wants. This thinks that <b><span class="c3">as is fitting in the Lord</span></b> defines the <i>limit</i> of submission. This is also wrong. It is true that there are limits to a wife's submission, but when the wife approaches <b><span class="c3">as is fitting in the Lord</span></b> in this way, then it degenerates into a case of "I'll submit to my husband when I agree with him. I'll submit to him when he makes the right decisions and carries them out the right way. When he makes a wrong decision, he isn't <b><span class="c3">in the Lord</span></b>, so I shouldn't submit to him then. It isn't <b><span class="c3">fitting</span></b> to do so." Simply put, <i>that is not submission at all</i>. Except for those who are just plan cantankerous and argumentative, <i>everyone</i> submits to others when they are in agreement. It is only when there is a <i>disagreement</i> that submission is tested.</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. <b><span class="c3">As is fitting in the Lord</span></b> does not define the <i>extent</i> of a wife's submission. It does not define the <i>limit</i> of a wife's submission. It defines the <i>motive</i> of a wife's submission. It means, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands because it is a part of your duty to the Lord, because it is an expression of your submission to the Lord." They submit simply because it <b><span class="c3">is fitting in the Lord</span></b> to do it. It honors God's Word and His order of authority. It is part of their Christian duty and discipleship.</p>
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<p class="c5">iv. Therefore, <b><span class="c3">as is fitting in the Lord</span></b> means:</p><ul class="c6"><li>For wives, submission to their husband is part of their Christian life.</li><li>When a wife doesn't obey this word to <b><span class="c3">submit to your own husband as is fitting in the Lord</span></b>, she doesn't just fall short as a wife. She falls short as a follower of Jesus Christ.</li><li>This means that the command to submit it completely out of the realm of "my nature" or "my personality." Wives aren't expected to submit because they are the "submissive type." They are expected to submit because it is <b><span class="c3">fitting in the Lord</span></b>.</li><li>This has nothing to do with your husband's intelligence, or giftedness, or capability. It has to do with honoring the Lord Jesus Christ.</li><li>This has nothing to do with whether or not your husband is "right" on a particular issue. It has to do with Jesus being right.</li><li>This means that a woman should take great care in how she <i>chooses</i> her husband. Remember, ladies: this is what God requires of you in marriage. This is <i>His</i> expectation of you. <span > </span>Instead of looking for an attractive man, instead of looking for a wealthy man, instead of looking for a romantic man, you better first look for a man you can <i>respect</i>.</li></ul>
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<p class="c5">v. As is the case in every human relationship, the command to submit is not absolute. <span > </span>There are exceptions to this command for a wife to <b><span class="c3">submit to her own husband</span></b>. </p><ul class="c6"><li>When the husband asks the wife to sin, she must not submit.</li><li>When the husband is medically incapacitated, insane, or under the influence of mind altering substances, the wife may not submit.</li><li>When the huband is violent and physically threatening, the wife may not submit.</li><li>When the husband breaks the marriage bond by adultery, they wife does not need to subit to her husband being in an adulterous relationship.</li></ul>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">Husbands, love your wives</span></b>: Paul's words to husbands safeguards his words to wives. Though wives are to submit to their husbands, it never excuses husbands acting as tyrants over their wives. Instead, a husband must <b><span class="c3">love</span></b> his wife, and the ancient Greek word translated <b><span class="c3">love</span></b> her is <i>agape</i>.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. The ancient Greek language had several different words describing different kinds of love. <i>Eros</i>, <i>storge</i>, and <i>philia</i> each speak about love that is <i>felt</i>. These describe "instinctive" love, love that comes spontaneously from the heart. <span > </span>Paul <i>assumes</i> that <i>eros</i> (desire) and <i>phileo</i> (fondness) are present in marriage. Christians should not act as if these things do not matter in the marriage relationship. They do matter. But Paul's real point is to address a higher kind of love, <i>agape</i> love. <i>Agape</i> describes a different kind of love. It is a love more of <i>decision</i> than of the <i>spontaneous heart</i>; as much a matter of the <i>mind</i> than the <i>heart</i>, because it chooses to love the undeserving. <i>Agape</i> really doesn't have much to do with <i>feelings</i> - it has to do with <i>decisions</i>.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. Strictly speaking, <i>agape</i> can't be defined as "God's love," because men are said to <i>agape</i> sin and the world (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',3,19);">Jhn 3:19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Jo',2,15);">1Jo 2:15</a>). But it can be defined as a sacrificial, giving, absorbing, love. The word has little to do with emotion; it has much to do with self-denial for the sake of another.</p><ul class="c6"><li>It is a love that loves without changing. </li><li>It is a self-giving love that gives without demanding or expecting re-payment. </li><li>It is love so great that it can be given to the unlovable or unappealing. </li><li>It is love that loves even when it is rejected. </li><li><i>Agape</i> love gives and loves because it wants to; it does not demand or expect repayment from the love given. It gives because it loves, it does not love in order to receive.</li></ul>
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<p class="c5">iii. We can read this passage and think that Paul means, "husband, be kind to your wife." Or "husband, be nice to your wife." There is no doubt that for many marriages, this would be a huge improvement. But that isn't what Paul writes about. What he really means is, "husband, continually practice self-denial for the sake of your wife."</p>
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<p class="c5">iv. Of course, this <i>agape</i> love is the kind of love Jesus has for His people and this is the love husbands should imitate towards their wives (<a onclick="return mV('Eph',5,25);">Eph 5:25</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">And do not be bitter toward them</span></b>: The implication is perhaps the wife has given the husband some <i>reason</i> <b><span class="c3">to be bitter</span></b>. Paul says, "that doesn't matter, husband." The husband may feel perfectly justified in his harsh or unloving attitude and actions towards his wife, but he is not justified - <i>no matter how the wife has been towards the husband</i>.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. <i>Agape</i> loves even when there are obvious and glaring deficiencies, even when the receiver is unworthy of the love.</p>
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<p class="c1"><span>4. (<a onclick="return mV('Col',3,'20-21');">20-21</a>) The new man's parent and child relationship.</span></p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.</span></p>
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<p class="c4"><span>a. <b><span class="c3">Children, obey your parents in all things</span></b></span>: Paul has in mind children who are still in their parents' household and under their authority. For these, they must not only <i>honor</i> their father and mother (<a onclick="return mV('Eph',6,2);">Eph 6:2</a>), but they must also <b><span class="c3">obey</span></b> them, and <b><span class="c3">obey</span></b> them <b><span class="c3">in all things</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. When a child is grown and out of their parents' household, they are no longer under the same obligation of <i>obedience</i>, but the obligation to <i>honor your father and mother</i> remains.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">For this is well pleasing to the Lord</span></b>: This is one of the important <i>reasons</i> for a child's obedience. When a child respects their paren't authority, they are respect God's order of authority in other areas of life.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. This idea of an order of authority and submission to an order of authority are so important to God that they are part of His very being. The First Person of the Holy Trinity is called the <i>Father</i>; the Second Person of the Holy Trinity is called the <i>Son</i>. Inherent in those titles is a relationship of authority and submission to authority. </p>
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<p class="c5">ii. The Father exercises authority over the Son, and the Son submits to the Father's authority - and this is in the very nature and being of God! Our failure to exercise Biblical authority, and our failure to submit to Biblical authority, isn't just wrong and sad - it sins against the very nature of God. Remember <a onclick="return mV('1Sa',15,23);">1Sa 15:23</a>: <i>For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft</i>.</p>
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<p class="c4"><span>c. <b><span class="c3">Fathers, do not provoke your children</span></b>: Children have a responsibility to obey, but parents - here, put into one as <b><span class="c3">fathers</span></b></span> - have a responsibility to <b><span class="c3">not provoke</span></b> their <b><span class="c3">children</span></b>. Parents can <b><span class="c3">provoke</span></b> their children by being too harsh, too demanding, too controling, unforgiving, or just plain angry. This harshness can be expressed through words, through actions, or through non-verbal communication.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. In most parenting problems, the parent blames the child. It's easy to do, because the problem is usually most evident in the bad behavior in the child. But Paul wisely reminds us that the bad behavior may actually be <i>provoked</i> by the parent. When this is the case, it doesn't justify the bad behavior of the child, but it may explain part of its cause. It's up to parents to do everything they can to <b><span class="c3">not provoke</span></b> their <b><span class="c3">children.</span></b></p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">Lest they become discouraged</span></b><span>: Children who grow up with parents who provoke them will <b><span class="c3">become discouraged</span></b></span>. They will not feel the love and the support from their parents like the should, and they will come be believe that the whole world is against them, because they feel their parents are against them. This reminds us how important it is to season our parenting with lots of grace. Perhaps we should be as gracious, gentle, forgiving, and longsuffering with our children as God is with us.</p>
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<p class="c1"><span>5. (<a onclick="return mV('Col',3,'22-25');">3:22</a>-<a onclick="return mV('Col',4,'1');">4:1</a>) The new man's servant and master relationship.</span></p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Obey in all things your masters according to the flesh</span></b>: As Christians put on the new man, they will show a properly submissive attitude towards their <b><span class="c3">masters</span></b> - in a modern context, towards their employer or supervisor.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. This is another sphere of God's order of authority. Employees have a God-ordained role of obedience and submission to their employers or supervisors.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God</span></b>: We are always tempted to work just as hard as we have to, thinking we only have to please man. But God wants every worker to see that ultimately, they work for <i>Him</i>. Therefore, they should <b><span class="c3">do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men</span></b>. God promises to <b><span class="c3">reward</span></b> those who work with that kind of heart.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. The Christian who is a dishonest, lazy or unreliable worker has something far worse to deal with than a reprimand from his earthly supervisor. His heavenly supervisor may prepare a reprimand as well.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done</span></b>: When a Christian worker does poorly in his job, he should not expect special leniency from his boss, especially if his boss is a Christian. Being a Christian should make us <i>more</i> responsible, not <i>less</i> responsible.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair</span></b><span>: As Christians put on the new man, they will be <b><span class="c3">just and fair</span></b></span> to those who work for them. It is a terrible thing for a boss to cheat or mistreat his workers, but far worse for a Christian to do it.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Christian <b><span class="c3">masters</span></b> or supervisors need to remember that they <b><span class="c3">have a Master in heaven</span></b> that they must answer to. Would they like God to treat them with the same measure of justice and fairness they have treated their workers with?</p>
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