Christ Our Life

What does my life look like, in Christ, through the eyes of those I disciple?

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:^[b] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.^[c] In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self^[d] with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,^[e] free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. – Colossians 3:5-14 ESV

Do you know who Scythians are? They were one of those despised people groups. Basically replace the word with the despised people or cultural group in your community and that should have things covered.

The last verse puts it all together with a great summary statement as to what my life in Christ looks like – above all these…

I put on love for without this all I have is nothing except show and appearance, and guise and hypocrisy. Love gives me true sympathy, real kindness, undisguised humility and meekness, patience and hearty forgiveness. Love is greater, more excellent, adds glory, lustre and beauty. In this a disciple of Jesus is visible, distinguished and is known to be what they are. Here I am called to live.