The third chapter of Colossians deals with a subject that has increasingly become a problem for some who claim to be Christians, but is less often dealt with and confronted by those within the church: The subject of sexual purity.
Colossians 3:1-10 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience…
Paul begins chapter 3 of Colossians by making the statement: “If you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above…” So often we set our minds on things of the earth and find ourselves struggling with the very same issues that the rest of the world passes off as normal. When we make these behaviors that the Bible defines as sin, acceptable for those within the church, we are placing people we claim to care about, in eternal peril.
Couples sleeping together who are not married, homosexual relationships being viewed as an alternative lifestyle that is acceptable today in the church.
For the believer in Jesus Christ, these choices are just not acceptable to the Lord.
I received word from friends recently that their 20 something son whom I have known as a follower of Jesus since he was a little boy, has announced to his parents that he is really a homosexual and has been all along.
Having had a bad experience with a young woman who broke his heart, he decided that the homosexual lifestyle better suited him. His parents, although disappointed, accepted his choice and continued to embrace him as their son. What else can a parent do except love their child when they make a choice such as this?
The correct response is to tell our loved ones that their choice is not acceptable. That remaining in that type of lifestyle will insure that they will be lost eternally. Does that sound harsh and judgmental to us? Perhaps the Bible was just kidding when it said that those who practice these kinds of things will not inherit eternal life:
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
When Paul wrote to those at Colosse, he was seeking to confront an attitude by the Christians in that church, that living a sexually impure lifestyle was acceptable. Paul wrote to inform them that one of the reasons that the wrath of God was going to fall upon many upon Jesus’ return, was because they had not repented of sexually impure lives. He was warning those within the church that considered these behaviors to be acceptable, that should they continue in these sins they would be lost forever.
Paul wanted to give them an opportunity to change their minds and turn away from their sin, so that God would not have to bring judgement.
As Jesus’ church, we cannot live any way that we choose. We must bring our lives into conformity with the Word of God and remain sexually pure if we ever hope to see the Lord. Today, it has become socially acceptable to live with someone before marriage. When a son or daughter makes a choice to live in a homosexual or lesbian relationship, we find it hard to confront them.
Jesus said that if we truly love Him and love those who are making these choices to live Biblically unacceptable lifestyles, we must go to our friends and family members and encourage them to turn away from their sin and live a life that is sexually pure.
As we walk with Jesus today, may we consider that we have the power within us to confront and encourage those who are leading lives that will jeopardize their eternal destiny, to turn away and repent from their sins before it is too late. I find for myself that even writing this article is extremely difficult and makes me feel uncomfortable. Nevertheless, we must tell people that we really care about, the truth or it very well may be that the Lord will hold us personally accountable for why we did not say anything on the day that we stand before Him.
Rob Robinson
