Yes, Colossians 3 instructs Christians to live with heavenly priorities, peace, thankfulness, and the Word of Christ dwelling richly, leading to a joyful and glorifying life.
The passage calls believers to set their affections on things above, to let the peace of God rule, and to be thankful in all things. Les Feldick emphasizes that this life is practical and joyful, not miserable or careless, and that every word and deed should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Colossians 3:1-2 — This is the core command for believers to seek and set their affections on things above, which directly answers how to live.
The Bible teaches that since believers are risen with Christ, they are to seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. They are to set their affection on things above, not on things on the earth. The passage also instructs that the peace of God should rule in their hearts, and they are called to be thankful. The word of Christ is to dwell in them richly in all wisdom, and whatever they do in word or deed, they should do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him.
Les Feldick explains that Colossians 3 gives practical, everyday Christianity. Believers are to have their priorities set on heavenly things, but that doesn't mean they can't enjoy earthly blessings; they don't have to live a Spartan life. He emphasizes that Christians should be joyful—there is no room for miserable Christians—and that misery indicates being out of fellowship with the Lord. He also stresses that believers are not to be careless; they are to glorify God in all they do. The Christian life is to be marked by peace, thankfulness, and a deep grounding in the Word of God, which keeps believers in a place of service.
According to Les Feldick, setting our affection on things above means our priorities are set heavenward, not that we become so heavenly minded we're no earthly good. It's practical Christianity that allows us to enjoy life but keeps our focus on Christ. This is for Gentile believers, just as Paul wrote to them, and applies to us today.
Les Feldick teaches that the Christian life is meant to be joyful. A miserable Christian is out of fellowship with the Lord and involved with the world improperly. The Bible instructs believers to be thankful, and this thankfulness flows from the peace of God ruling in their hearts. Everything done in word or deed should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus with thanksgiving.
The Word of Christ is to dwell richly in believers with wisdom. Les Feldick emphasizes that being in the Word keeps us in a place of service and cleanses our spiritual walk. Believers should not be uninformed or poorly grounded; every child of God should be well taught and established in the faith.
Why Only Paul Uses the Term 'Body of Christ' — Bible Study
Him. Now here it comes, and He is the Head of the Body. Are you beginning to see it? That He in His position in the heavenlies is the Head, and we are functioning as the Body. We move like Paul said to the Athenians in the book of Acts. Everything we do, we breathe, we eat, we move, all because of Him. And so He is the Head of the Body. Verse 18.
Heavenly Priorities
Les teaches that being risen with Christ means our priorities are set on things above, but we are not to become so heavenly minded we're no earthly good; it's practical Christianity.
What Most Christians Miss About Grace — 1 Corinthians Explained
Now, in verse 2 then, he gives the graphic description of every believer, everyone at Corinth, everyone in the area around Corinth, but even right on down to us at this day and time, it is still in that overall description of the assembly of believers who are called saints and to all those who call upon the name of Jesus Christ. Now then, verse 3, Grace be unto you.
Glorifying God and Joy
Les explains that the Christian life is to be joyful and not careless; our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, and we are cleansed by the Word for service.
Hagar, Ishmael & The Everlasting God: Genesis 21 Bible Study
Hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ. Now, got one more portion. I'd like to have you turn through Philippians and over to Colossians. Colossians chapter 1. Colossians chapter 1. Drop down to... Let's start with verse 24. You know I just don't like to jump on one verse. Colossians 1 verse 24.
Gentile Believers Living for Christ
Les applies Colossians 3 to Gentile believers today, emphasizing that we are to set our affection on things above, not on earthly things, because Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Why the Blood? The Bible's Answer to Forgiveness & Faith
Grace says, I�m doing it only because I love you, not because you deserve it. All right, let�s go to another one. Colossians, just keep going to the right. Colossians chapter 1. I always have to start at verse 12 in this particular portion. Colossians chapter 1, verse 12, where Paul writes again to a Gentile congregation, giving thanks unto the Father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the i…
Christ in You — What Galatians 5 and Romans 8:10 Really Mean
So let's just go back up to all about verse 5, because I don't like to just jump in on a verse. I like to pick up the flow. So we'll read from verse 5 and then pick up the commenting on it in about verse 10. For they who are after the flesh... Now remember Paul always writes to the believer. Paul never writes to the unbelieving world.
Colossians 3:1: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
This verse establishes the foundation for Christian living—since we are risen with Christ, we are to seek heavenly things.
Colossians 3:2: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
This verse clarifies the command to focus our minds and desires on heavenly realities rather than earthly ones.
Colossians 3:15: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
The peace of God is to govern our hearts, and we are called to be thankful as part of the one body.
Colossians 3:16: 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.
The Word of Christ is to live within us richly, guiding our teaching and worship.
Colossians 3:17: 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.
Every action and word is to be done in Jesus' name with thanksgiving to God the Father.
No, Les Feldick clarifies that it means your priorities are set heavenward, but you don't have to live a Spartan life. You can enjoy earthly things as long as your focus is on Christ and His purposes.
The Word of Christ is to dwell richly in believers, providing wisdom and cleansing. Les Feldick teaches that being in the Word keeps us in a place of service and helps us be well-grounded in the faith.
Watch the Teaching: Why Only Paul Uses the Term 'Body of Christ' — Bible Study