Have you ever wondered what hidden with Christ means? How does this look in our lives? Previously, we studied that we must be careful not to be defrauded in relation to what Christ has already paid for us.
We have been warned not to be deceived by those things that have the appearance of godliness, but are of no value against the flesh. In the first part of chapter 3 we will see how we are hidden in Christ and what this implies in a more practical way in our lives.
Using the language of chapter 2, Paul reminds us that we have already died (to our sins) and we are hidden with Christ in God, we have risen with Him. For this reason, we must change our target, we must change where we fix our eyes, we must look to Christ, for it is from Him that our prize and the renewal of our life comes to be.
It also reminds us that even though we are not yet in glory (v.4) our life on this side of eternity must change, from what it was before.
Hidden with Christ: Living like we are dead?
One way or another, you must have dealt with the smell of death, be it an animal or a spoiled meal. Occasionally, we are at home, and we can perceive an unpleasant odor without finding its origin until we see some damaged fruits in the fridge or cupboard.
What are you going to do with them? Are you going to leave them in the same place they were? Would you place them as a centerpiece?
I can imagine your face of disgust when imagining this, the answer must be simple, you would throw them away. Keep this illustration in mind as Paul confronts us.
Let’s face our idolatry (v. 5-8)
Paul exhorts us to live “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (v. 5) A dead man cannot practice or enjoy anything, in this case, Paul exhorts us to review our attitudes and actions, to discard what is not convenient, what enslaves us.
Christ has already paid our debt so that we can be free from these sins. Why are we going to cling to them, if they are like rotten fruits in the pantry?
It strikes me how Paul summarizes these things to which we must die as idolatry, evaluate each one of them and be honest with the Lord in identifying which practices you are clinging to. Each of them is a reflection of when we put other people, other things or ourselves in the place that belongs to God.
Idols are difficult to break down. You need to be honest and proactive, look for pious women with whom you can discuss your struggles and who encourage you with the Word of Truth so that you can throw them away.
Although we have walked in these things (v. 7) and may be so used to them, we must cast them off and eliminate them from our lives, as dead.
The other one that Paul mentions in verse 8 is offensive language, and this is not only profanity, but also hurtful words, when we speak to hurt someone or to humiliate them, double meaning conversations, disrespect, etc.
Expressions that we can easily attribute to our personality, but for which Christ, by dying on the cross, has given us the power to our lives.
Stop lying to each other (v. 9-11)
If we have heard the Word of Truth and believe in the sacrifice of Christ, we have received life together with Him. We begin to let our old nature behind, but we do not stop there, we begin to be renewed in His image.
In verse 11 he tells us that in this renewal there is no distinction of person, we all have to go through it and nothing gives us an advantage in the process, only our faith in Christ.
Paul exhorts the Colossians to stop lying to each other, as sisters in faith, we must understand and recognize the process in which we are discarding bad habits and being renewed.
This process doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a constant struggle, and in the process, too often we go to great lengths to hide our struggles with our bad habits. It is much easier and “safer” (to keep up appearances) to ask for a prayer for strength instead of being sincere and naming my sin of impurity, for example.
It’s more embarrassing to put a name to our sin, but, similar to the moment, we identify where the bad smell in the kitchen is coming from and get rid of the source. We need to identify our sin and get rid of it.
While we deny the real reasons for our weakness, how can we be renewed in the image of the one who died for us? I have to emphasize that you must do this with pious and mature women, elderly like those described in Titus 2, who instruct you in honoring the Word of God.
Conclusion
It is my prayer that you can find a safe place with godly and prudent women with whom you can open your heart. That they can help you walk in this renewal process, reminding you that you are hidden in Christ.
Let us also pray that as we grow in this process of sanctification, we can provide other women with a safe space so that they can face their sins and grow in the new life that we have in Christ; so that we may be conformed to his image each day. (v.10)
