Christian Living / Spiritual Growth

  • Life Before Christ

    Colossians 3:7-8

    One commentator has said that “we should never confuse being moral with being Christian, but we cannot claim to be Christian if we ignore morality.” An outwardly upright life is not a sure sign that somebody knows Christ, but a ...Read More

  • Putting Sin to Death

    Colossians 3:5-6

    Understanding that we are already holy in Christ should not be confused with the perfectionism that we often see in other theological traditions. We will not be free from the struggle with sin before we are glorified, but knowing that ...Read More

  • The Legalist Distortion

    Romans 14

    As a modern example of legalism, some Christians have said that it is wrong for believers to consume alcohol. However, while such rules may be motivated by a noble concern that people avoid the sin of drunkenness, Scripture nowhere condemns ...Read More

  • Shades of Gray

    1 Corinthians 10:31

    Though the Spirit grants us new life in Christ, this does not mean we immediately overcome our ignorance of God’s ways. Instead, the Spirit works through Scripture, illuminating it as we read and hear it so that we might ...Read More

  • Dead to the World or Alive?

    Colossians 2:20

    Out of His great love for us, God warns His people against legalism and false religious practices because hoping in rules, astrology, and other false spiritualities only gives Satan and the flesh more influence over us. But when we pursue ...Read More

  • God-Given Growth

    Colossians 2:19

    There is a sinful tendency in all of us to cut ourselves off from Christ, the Head of the body of Christ and only source of life-sustaining nourishment. It may not display itself overtly in false worship as it did ...Read More

  • Ascetism, Angels, and Visions

    Colossians 2:18

    While it is easy to see that heretics are sinning when they look down in judgment on others, it is more difficult to root out that same sin in ourselves, for the basis of our judgment of others may be ...Read More

  • Walking in Christ Jesus

    Colossians 2:6-7

    Discontent in our lives and envy of the blessings of others is the opposite of thanksgiving, and these things threaten to plunge us back into the darkness of sin. John Calvin comments, “Ingratitude is very frequently the reason why we ...Read More

  • Paul’s Presence in Colossae

    Colossians 2:4-5

    Our mystical union with Christ and His people through the Holy Spirit has profound implications for how we pray for believers in other places. Because we are united to the One who transcends all, our prayers are a profound encouragement ...Read More

  • Christ Our Wisdom

    Colossians 2:3

    The gospel is scandalous to unbelievers even though Christ is the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:18–31). But it is important to note that the message is to be scandalous, not our actions. We must take care not ...Read More

  • Filling Up Christ’s Afflictions

    Colossians 1:24

    We may not always think of it in this way, but our suffering for the cause of Christ actually brings us closer to the day of His return, for God has ordained that the day of Jesus’ victorious coming would ...Read More

  • Persevering in Gospel Hope

    Colossians 1:23

    Even true Christians may wonder at times if they are truly among God’s children, and one of the many ways to find assurance of one’s salvation is to look for evidence of perseverance in one’s life. Do ...Read More

  • The Goal of Reconciliation

    Colossians 1:21-22

    Being declared righteous in Christ, we are accepted into the kingdom of God by faith alone without any consideration of our works. Still, those who are declared righteous begin to act righteous, and we grow in love for our Savior ...Read More

  • From Darkness to Light

    Colossians 1:13-14

    Adam, despite the benefits of Eden, fell into sin. Israel, despite the benefits of the Promised Land, fell into sin, thereby demonstrating the drastic measures that had to be taken to restore men and women to fellowship with the Creator ...Read More

  • A Life of Gratitude

    Colossians 1:11-12

    It is obviously difficult to follow Paul’s admonition to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:18), which is why we need strengthening from on high to persevere with joy as we thank the Lord (Col. 1:11 ...Read More