Walking and Living in Earthly Ways Colossians 3:7

As Paul the apostle continued to share with the Colossian church concerning seeking and setting their affection on things above and not on the things of the earth, he included a list of ways they should put to death: “fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” He wrote that God's “wrath...comes on the children of disobedience”, and in chapter three and verse seven, Paul refers to a time when these church members were involved in these ways which were against God. We read:

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

The verse begins, “In the which you also walked some time,...” Paul began with the words, “In the which” which refers to the ungodly ways listed, and then added “you also” which included them within the group who live in these evil ways. He said they “walked” or “to make one's way or progress; to make due use of opportunities which may be lived” “some time” which means “formerly, afore time, or at some time”. In other words, the Colossians formerly lived with the same ungodly traits he already listed.

The verse goes on to say, “...when you lived in them.” Paul goes on to add, “when you lived” or “were active, living or abiding” “in them” or “with these ungodly traits”. Paul did not deny the lifestyle and ways which were prevalent among the church members of Colosse, he rather referred to them as being a “former” way of life; that is, a way of life that used to be.

As we meditate upon Paul's words, let us consider when we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior how our lives become new, and the former life is put away. Once we realize and believe His sacrifice and death for our sins upon the cross, our lives are changed, and we are not to be as we formerly were. Paul knew the disobedience to God which used to be in the Colossians, and his desire was to remind them of their ungodly earthly paths and encourage them to live for eternal ones. In other words, these disobedient traits used to be a way of life for the Colossians, but since they received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, these ways were not to be followed by them any more. Perhaps we have ungodly ways about us that used to be a part of our lives, and we have been reminded of them through Paul's list. If so, let us remember them, but also forsake any part of them that may continue to be a part of our lives.

Next time Paul shares more traits that used to be within the Colossians, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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