4/26/25 The Divine Covering

We continue into Ch. 3 today we will cover V8-14. Last week Paul provoked a divine introspection drawing light to the church of Colossae in their approach, how we use to be before Holy Spirit came after dying to the ways of the world. In V5 he invites us ⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry, because these are what ahs to be dealt with but that is not all. The list grows in V8-9

⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

The command Paul has in the NIV is rid, other translations it is put aside, put away, & put off, either way do away with. While we may want to dive into the list because emotionally that is what we are familiar with let’s get this right. The word used here in the GR is ah-po-TEE-thay-mee (apotithémi) meaning to remove. That is what makes this so difficult because these emotions cause a chemical release that some thrive on and notice it shows itself with actions slander and filthy lips. Let’s look into why he chose this word. It is all about covering and appearances. In the Greco-Roman world, the act of laying aside garments was a common practice, especially in preparation for work, athletic activities, or religious rituals. This cultural practice provides a vivid metaphor for the spiritual discipline of removing old, sinful habits and adopting a new way of life in Christ.

When we encounter the opportunity to slander, engage in filthy language and lie to another this means the old us has shown back up. The lie is that when we engage in this we stand out. But everyone accepted and wanting to be accepted by the world does this. If you are Christian, this is not how you are supposed to stand out. We are wearing the covering that identified us with the world system, but V10 provides us with a new covering we are to put on.

The imagery of changing clothes was a powerful symbol of transformation and renewal, resonating with early Christian communities who were called to live distinctively from the surrounding pagan culture that is the elemental spiritual forces of the world or the world system.

The problem is too many of us Christian are loving and acting like the world. How many of us have issues still with putting cultural things before serving and worshipping God, or placing the values of the Bible behind our political leanings? Culture has demands. It is up to you whether or not you oblige them. Every culture has standards that are unwritten as to what is acceptable. This is true for conduct and how you celebrate your traditions. It is also true in how you look and in some your ethnicity and social class. But Paul answers those demands in V11

¹¹ Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

According to Jesus you do not have to abide by their cultural classes and requirements because a higher culture has accepted you no matter your ethnicity, no matter the rituals that you have to endure to be accepted, no matter your social economic class. He is in you no matter who you are no matter where you are if you have faith in Him and Him alone to be your Savior as the Son of God sent to destroy the works of the devil. Because once he is in you Greater is He that is in you that he that is in the world! When He is in you you don’t speak the same, you don’t think the same, you don’t act the same because you values have be changed. You start to shift, how you appear to people shifts because you are not you wearing the same filthy clothes of the world anymore. Paul declare in V12

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

The sad thing in this list is disappearing from the culture of the church. Compassion is not easy to find. The difference between Jesus and the disciples in the beginning was compassion. He was drawn by compassion to go where the rabbinic rules said he shouldn’t to deliver people he wasn’t suppose to be around.

He was kind, he was humble and did not boast, he was gentle and patient for people to turn their lives around. You are called to embody this by letting the Spirit work and cause this shift. The biggest trait however is found in your relationships, because notice that is what is addressed here, how you treat people.

What about those how have harmed you. Thoe who have brought malice against you. Those who have betrayed you. Those who have turned their back on you are showed you no compassion and concern.

¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

You do not forgive the unforgivable for them, you do it to clear the path between you and God. Here is an uncommon spoke verse as to the importance of forgiveness, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15

Talk about counter cultural forgiveness and love. You wanna stand out operate with the covering of love. It is the divine covering.