Colossians 3 | Daily Bible Reading & Reflection

Colossians 3 Devotional: Discover what it means to seek the things above and put on the new self in Christ. Learn how to let the peace of Christ rule in your heart and live out the Gospel in your everyday relationships.

Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to Colossians 3. In this chapter, the Apostle Paul turns our gaze away from the temporal patterns of this world and lifts them directly to heaven. He gives us practical instructions on what it looks like to live as a resurrected person in a everyday world. Let us open our hearts to His Word as we learn how to put on the new self given to us in Jesus.

Introduction: Setting Our Minds on Things Above

Colossians 3 marks a powerful transition from deep theology to practical Christian living. Paul begins by declaring that because we have been raised with Christ, our true life is now hidden with Him in God. Therefore, we are called to set our minds on heavenly realities rather than earthly distractions. Paul uses the vivid imagery of changing clothes: we are to "put to death" the old nature—sexual immorality, anger, malice, and lying—and "put on" the character of Christ, which includes compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Above all these virtues, we are to bind them together with love, allowing the peace of Christ to rule our hearts and the Word of Christ to dwell in us richly.

What can we learn from this today? This chapter teaches us that real spiritual transformation starts from the inside out. Holiness is not a list of rigid human rules, but a continuous decision to align our thoughts and habits with who we already are in Christ. When we realize that our identity is secure in Him, we gain the freedom to forgive others just as the Lord forgave us. Furthermore, Paul shows us that our faith isn't meant to stay inside the church building—it directly shapes our marriages, our families, and our daily work. Whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we are called to do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Bible Verse - Colossians 3

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 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.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Prayer

Paul exhorts us to "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." As we pause to pray, let us hand over every anxiety and old habit to Him, stepping fully into the new life He has provided.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before You with thankful hearts, praising You for the glorious reality that our lives are hidden with Christ in God. We thank You for the grace that rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of Your beloved Son. Your Word is our authority and light, and we ask that it would dwell in us richly today.

Lord, we ask for Your Spirit’s strength to put off the old self with its practices. Forgive us for the moments we allow anger, bitterness, or earthly worries to dictate our actions. Help us to put to death every thought or desire that does not honor You. Teach us how to clothe ourselves daily with compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, and patience. Above all these things, bind our lives together with Your perfect love. May the peace of Christ settle every anxious thought in our minds, and may thankfulness mark everything we say and do.

We pray for our families, workplaces, and local churches. Help husbands, wives, parents, children, and workers to honor one another as unto You. We lift up those in our community who feel weighed down by their past mistakes; reveal to them their true identity in Jesus today. We pray for a world that is desperately searching for peace and purpose; use us as light-bearers who work with all our hearts for Your glory, knowing that from You we will receive our true inheritance.

Amen.

Daily Application Question

Paul tells us to "put on" compassion, kindness, humility, and patience today. Which of these virtues do you feel the Holy Spirit calling you to actively practice in a specific relationship today?

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that our life is "hidden with Christ in God"? It means your true spiritual identity and ultimate destiny are completely secure in Jesus. The world may not fully recognize or understand your value, but God holds your life safely in His hands.
How do we practically "set our minds on things above"? It involves intentionally choosing to focus on God's promises, truth, and eternal perspective through daily prayer, reading Scripture, and filtering our daily decisions through the lens of God's Kingdom rather than earthly trends.
Why does Paul emphasize thankfulness so many times in this chapter? Gratitude shifts our focus away from what we lack and places it on what Christ has already accomplished for us. A thankful heart is one of the strongest defenses against discontentment, envy, and pride.

Thank you for spending time with us in Colossians 3 today. May you go out into your day clothed in the kindness, humility, and peace of Jesus Christ, doing everything for His glory. We look forward to joining you tomorrow for Colossians 4!

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