Thursday, November 5, 2009

Colossians 3

Verse 3 uses the words "Your life is hid with Christ in God." Some of the Colossian saints evidently had their calling and elections made sure. This means that nothing but committing the unpardonable sin can keep the person from inheriting eternal life. A person who has his calling and election made sure has reached such a state of righteousness that they are sealed up by the power of the priesthood and will come forth with Christ in the resurrection. This is an ordinance performed in the temple and is referred to as the second endowment. It is not requirement of this life. But something we should seek for to obtain either in this life or the next.

Paul counsels husbands and wives in the same manner he did in Ephesians 5. And in this chapter he urges righteous living, asking us to control our appetites, and listing sins to avoid such as:

fornication
uncleannes
indecent affection
being covetous which is idolatry
anger and malice
blasphemy
flithy communications which is anything obscene or pornographic
lying
following the natural man

Then as he usually does, he lists qualities we should pursue that show we've become a new and righteous person:

become the elect of God - we do this by accepting the gospel and gaining the blessings of the temple
be filled with mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering
be tolerant and forgiving
have charity
let God's peace rule our hearts
let the gospel make us rich in wisdom
sing hymns and spiritual songs from the heart
do whatever we do fully and do it for the Lord, not for men

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