Christocentric 7 – Practicing Practical Righteousness

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... Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, covetousness, which is idolatry... But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth... Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another... But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts... and be thankful.

When your eyes are fixed on Christ in heaven, His holiness reshapes everything you do on earth.

Heavenly Mindedness Results in Earthly Goodness

"You don't want to become so heavenly minded that you're no earthly good." That was a saying years ago, a concern expressed by some within the church. But it was not a concern the Apostle Paul shared 2,000 years ago when he wrote to the church at Colossi: "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is... Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."

That is an exhortation to be heavenly minded, to have a Christ-centered focus. The idea that you can be so heavenly minded you're no earthly good is not in the Bible. I understand the original concern—that people might become so fixated on getting out of here that they fail to fulfill their obligation to Christ now. We do hear Christians say, "We just have to get out of here, it's so bad." But God called us to be lights in this dark place.

In this passage Paul instructs followers of Jesus to set their hearts and minds on the things above where the Lord is—and he reveals that such a focus will ultimately produce genuinely good things in our earthly lives. So point number one: heavenly mindedness results in earthly goodness. When you set your affections on heaven, an internal transformation begins to take place, and the more you set your mind on the Lord, the more that transformation becomes manifest—even to the point that people who knew you before begin to see a difference and wonder how it happened.

Christ in You, the Hope of Glory

As you draw near to the Lord and He draws near to you, the idols of your heart begin to fall away. His holiness has a way of purifying our unrighteousness. It's not religious effort that makes us holy; it's Christ's holiness in us that transforms us from the inside out. That's why in Colossians 2 Paul calls it the mystery God has revealed: "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

The Christian experience is that we are in Christ and He is in us; we become the temple of the Holy Spirit. And the hope He gives is not blind wishful thinking but absolute certainty—that we will one day be glorified, made like Him. The Apostle John says, "When we see Him we shall be like Him." I'm looking forward to that. This comes not by religious rule-keeping or ritual, but by growing close to the Lord in relationship. Christians have said over the last 20 or 30 years, "I don't have religion, I have a relationship." In that relationship He transforms us, doing away with immorality, greed, anger, and gossip.

Four Steps to Heavenly Mindedness

It sounds super spiritual to say, "Set your mind on things above." The immediate question is: How? Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." We all have worries about where we'll live, what we'll wear, what we'll eat. But how do I seek first the kingdom?

Paul answers in Colossians 3:16-17, giving four steps. First, God's Word. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." God's Word is essential to being transformed into Christ's image. Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth." Paul says we are transformed by the renewing of our minds and washed by the water of the Word. The psalmist asks, "How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word."

Second, fellowship—"teaching and admonishing one another." Maybe you've said something offensive and a brother or sister said, "You shouldn't say things like that." That is a sanctifying thing that only happens in fellowship. God uses your brothers and sisters in Jesus to make you more like Jesus.

Third, worship—"in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." Worship has a cleansing impact. When Isaiah was caught up into God's throne room and heard the angels cry "Holy, holy, holy," he said, "I am a man of unclean lips," and an angel took a coal from the altar and cleansed his lips. In the presence of God, there is a cleansing effect.

Fourth, mission—"whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." Whether you're an architect, a teacher, a police officer, or a nurse, recognize that you are an ambassador of Jesus wherever you are. This is how we draw near to Christ. It's not circumcision, asceticism, feast days, or new moons, as Colossians 2 says—it's simply drawing closer to Jesus.

Practical Righteousness 101

From here Paul moves to practical tips for practicing righteousness in Colossians 3:18 and following. Someone told me about a class at Cal State San Marcos on Harry Potter. If they've got a class on Harry Potter, we need a class on Practical Righteousness 101.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. 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.

Paul's first step bothers a lot of people—a lot of women. Why does the command "wives, submit to your own husbands" bother so many wives? I can think of four reasons.

First, a wrong view of submission. This word seems to speak of inequality, but the Bible does not teach that. Galatians 3:28 shows God created them equal, male and female. Women are not less intelligent or less able than men. Submission simply recognizes the God-appointed order. In His sovereignty God created a headship within the home, just as He created governing structures in government and in the church. With that headship comes responsibility—your husband will answer to God for his decisions. And note: this is not the submission of women to all men, but of a wife to her own husband. If a woman refuses to submit to a husband, the answer is simple: don't get married.

Second, a wrong view of husbands. Our culture for decades has belittled men, picturing husbands as buffoons—think Everybody Loves Raymond or Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, where the husband is an imbecile and the wife fixes everything. Some husbands have made this possible by not doing a good job, but that doesn't give a wife the right to hold a negative view of her own husband.

Third, a wrong view of women, or of self. Our culture not only belittles men but exalts women as smarter and better. God created us equally; there's no sense in which one is better than the other.

Fourth, a wrong view of God—that He is overly masculine and misogynistic. The Bible reveals no such thing. In fact, wherever the gospel goes, it brings rights for women. Where the gospel has not penetrated, you find cultures that degrade women.

Do What Is Fitting Before the Lord

Why should a wife do this? Paul answers within the verse: "as is fitting in the Lord." The motivation is not pleasing your husband, or society, but doing what is right before God. So point number two: do what is fitting before the Lord and you will stop fighting with Him.

Now, husbands—verse 19—"love your wives and do not be bitter toward them." Wives may say that sounds easier than submission, but sometimes it's as hard for a husband to love his wife as it is for a wife to submit. Paul wrote nearly identical words to Ephesus, and there he adds the difference: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her." That is self-sacrificial love—die for your wife. Die every single day by doing the things that are pleasing to her. This is an imperative, a command.

Every time we've counseled couples with a submission problem, the root is that the husband has not loved his wife as Christ loved the church. If you love her sacrificially, you'll never have to tell her to submit—and if you have to say "you need to submit," you're doing it wrong. You cannot be right with God and unloving toward your wife at the same time. Don't be bitter, or irritated, with them. First Corinthians 13:4 uses the same word: "Love suffers long and is kind." Be patient, be kind.

Children, Fathers, and What Pleases God

"Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord." Ephesians 6 commands children to honor father and mother, with a promise attached. The word here in the original concerns young children in the home, who are to be obedient. This obedience extends as far as parents call them to do what is right. If ever a child is called to do something illegal, immoral, or unethical against God, that's where they may say no. But so long as parents call them to what is right, children in the home are to obey in all things.

Fathers, "do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." Lead your children in a righteous way, drawing them closer to the Lord. Underline those words, "this is well pleasing to the Lord." When a person becomes a follower of Jesus, there's a change of heart—now they want to be pleasing to Him. Before, you didn't care about pleasing God; now you do. So point number three: righteousness more than religion makes God happy. Read Isaiah 1, where Israel did all the religious things but their hearts were far from God, and He said He didn't want their sacrifices. In Malachi, He said He wished someone would shut the temple doors—He wanted them to walk in what is right.

All Work Is Ultimately for God

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.

In a modern context, "bondservants" and "masters" can rightly read "employees" and "employers." Most of us here are employees. Obey your employer in all things that are not illegal, unethical, or immoral. "Not with eyeservice" means not having to be managed—not working hard only when the boss is in the room. Everyone knows things get done quickly and rightly when the boss is watching. But do you work that way when they're not there? Don't do it merely to make the boss happy. Work as unto the Lord, in sincerity of heart.

This is something the church has lost over time: every Christian, in every profession, is working for the Lord. Some seem to think only those who work at a church are working for the Lord. No—your job, whatever it is, is for the Lord. He is your ultimate boss, and He sees not only your actions but your heart. Point number four: all work is ultimately for God. The fourth commandment isn't just "Remember the Sabbath"; it's "Six days you shall labor." God commands work. Take this view and it will change how you work. People say, "If only I could work in the church, everything would be great." That is not true. Recognize your job is God-given and for the Lord.

Then chapter 4, verse 1: "Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven." Employers and managers, recognize that your employees are not less than you. Honor them, deal with them justly and fairly, and remember you have a boss in heaven—even if you're the CEO at the top—who takes note of how you treat those under you.

The Work of God Requires Earnest Prayer

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.

Point number five: the work of God requires earnest prayer. The mission God has given the church will never be accomplished without your prayer. Every week we give as unto the Lord, enabling the work of ministry—but none of it will be accomplished without prayer. Paul says, pray that a door would be opened so we can speak the mystery of Christ, and that I would know how to speak it.

There are 400,000 people within five miles of this building. Statistically, fewer than ten percent are part of a gospel-preaching evangelical church. That means more than 360,000 people within five miles have no connection to a gospel-preaching church. It's my desire that we reach them, and we won't be able to without your prayer. So pray that we figure out how to reach our community.

Walk in Wisdom Wherever You Are

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Jesus said be wise as serpents and gentle as doves. Walk in wisdom toward those outside the church, redeeming the time—making the most of every opportunity. On your school campus, on the construction site, in the corporate office, in your neighborhood, on the basketball court—wherever you are, ask God how you can reach the people around you.

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt." Sometimes I think we put on too much salt, assaulting people with the gospel. Be gracious, and season it with salt, so you know how to answer each one. You are a missionary wherever you are, Monday morning through Saturday night. So pray for the church, but also remember God has placed you to be a light. May you shine brightly wherever you are, like a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.

Closing Prayer

Father, would You enable us by Your power and Your strength to do these things we see in this passage—that we would be husbands who love our wives, wives who submit to their husbands, children who obey their parents, fathers who lead their families well, employees who walk rightly before their employers, and employers who recognize the equality of those who work for them. God, would You shine brightly in all our lives, to be a light to our employers, our employees, our children, our spouses. Shine through us. Help us to have a Christocentric life—a life that revolves around You and brings You glory and joy as long as we're here. We ask this in Jesus' name, and all those who agreed said, "Amen."