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.
It's not a game as others play. It's a love for The Truth and following Him in His Truth, not those traditions people play. On that right hand of God is Power and Truth. Don't be sucked into the things of the world anymore.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Let your thoughts and focus be on the things of God and His Word. When you let the world consume your mind, the world will consume your life, bringing despair and worry. Our Father has given us The Way and it's so much easier when you follow Him.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
We are to be dead to the earthly things because we are made alive by The Way God has given us through Christ.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
On that 7th trump we who follow Christ will appear with him in glory, in our incorruptible bodies. 1 Cor. 15:39-42 39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. Celestial = heavenly, terrestrial = earthly. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: You sow a seed into the ground and it is corruptible. It deteriorates becoming something else. Our bodies are buried corruptible because they die, but our souls are incorruption.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Spiritually speaking, destroy those ways of thinking. Don't allow your mind, body or soul to do or think in the ways of the world anymore. "Mortify" νεκρόω nekróō, nek-ro'-o; from G3498; to deaden, i.e. (figuratively) to subdue:—be dead, to deprive of power, destroy the strength of, to make dead, to put to death, slay.
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
God hates those things and if you do those things, God is coming and is angry with you. He's not mad at those who follow Him in righteousness. He is with those who reject Him. Reward or punishment?
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
Before coming to know and understand the things of God, you walked in the worldly things just as they do. NOW YOU DON'T!
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Upon repentance you're made new. The past is wiped clean and a new person is born from above. It's at that moment you have been given a clean slate if you will. Why mess it up with the way you were. I see and hear so many that say they're Christian but curse like they have never heard of Christ. Put on that new person and follow Christ. This isn't a game!
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
It doesn't matter what ethos/race you are, it doesn't matter what you have done in the past, with Christ you have a new life, a new way of living and a peace of mind that only you can take from you. The circumcision is of the heart. Repent and be clean.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Help everyone you can and in every situation you see when others are in need. Someone cold, then cloth them, hungry, feed them, sad, then lift them up, ignorant to The Truth, then give them The Word. The need is great and as Christians it's our duty to do The Lords work.
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.
Christians have faith, they don't let the world get to them, they don't let people overtake their peace. When you know God has given you life everlasting, this world becomes less relevant and True peace sinks into your mind, body and soul. Every Christian doing their part with smiles on their faces.
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.
When The Word's in you, you know the who, when, what and where of The Truth. You know and understand how to get things done. This doesn't happen automatically. It happens through study. You're not born wise, it comes through time and true wisdom comes through The Word, Christ Jesus.
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.
When you realize that when you wake up the next day and know it is because of God, you then know everything from that point on is because He has allowed it. You see your blessing throughout your day. You know where they came from. You walk a different path than others in the world.
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
This goes both ways as each are a gift from God. Eph. 5:22-24 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. This is an analogy. It gives us the relationship between Christ and The church = His bride. It's about commitment. Don't look at this as a man or woman thing. If you do, you're going to miss the point. The sex you are has nothing to do with what's being said. If you believe a man is more important than a women, you are not able to understand this analogy. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Christ is always there for us and we should be there for Him and others. We need to step up when the time comes. He has done and is doing so much for us. What have you done for Him lately? 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. You must be full commitment if you truly love The Lord. You can't say you're a Christian and follow the world. That's adultery.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Again, it goes both ways. Eph. 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; True love has no bounds. We are to give everything we have in showing our love for God, The Truth and for others. He gave Himself, that we may have life, so give your life in Truth that others may know Him.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Use common sense here. If your parents aren't following The Lord, help them see The Lord through you. If they do and you want to please The Lord and be blessed in life, follow this verse and "obey your parents in all things".
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Those of you who consider yourself the child, don't use this to refuse correction. If the parent follows The things of God, then if they discipline you, don't twist it into them provoking you to anger. A good Christian parent will follow God in raising you to the best of their ability. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;
If you work for a living, then make sure you do that work to the best of your ability. You represent God in all you do, so don't cut any corners, work hard and follow orders your bosses give you. They and others will see, when it comes to getting a job done, Christians are always the ones you can count on.
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Whatever you do, do your very best for God, not for the sake of humans.
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
When we do it His Way, we can start receiving reward today. Everything our Father provides for you today, is a reward and everything our Father gives you in the future is a blessing to come.
25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Refusing to do it God's way will bring you nothing but misery. Cause and effect, consequences for your own actions. While they cry "why me" it was because they refused Him and His Way sent for them. True love can't be forced. You must show that love and if they accept it, there is love between both. Refuse that love and go your own way, you'll find it very lonely and emotionally painful BUT with One escape. Christ Jesus gave That Way. Repent in His Name. Follow His path laid for you. Do what is right and receive the blessings that await you.