Colossians 3.5ff.
The “third chapter’ of Paul’s letter to the church in Colossian begins by considering the implications of being raised with Christ: “if you have been raised with Christ” then certain things follow necessarily.
Paul thesis can be summarized so: If we have been raised with Christ then we are also dying to the old. Old in this instance refers to the old man or the old world, the whole complex of the flesh, sin and death that typifies what is also called by him “this present evil age”. What is, in terms of systematic theology, called the doctrine of sanctification or the christianizing of the christian.
Specifically what sorts of things does he have in mind? Paul list four areas of mortification or four aspects of our lives that, while distinct, are actually held together by the common thread of autonomy. Sanctification involves submission, the bending of our wills to that of Christ.
The first thing he calls us to put to death is sexual immorality. While much could and has been said on this topic it is sufficient for this short essay to point out that as far as Scripture is concerned all views and understandings of human sexuality must be subservient to The Word of God. There can be no room for sexual autonomy any more than there is room for ethical autonomy or what Paul calls in his second point “Moral Corruption or Uncleanliness”. Both moral and sexual ethics must be defined by God’s Word and our natural tendencies towards autonomy in these areas must be put to death.

Yet mortification or the putting to death of our old nature must affect every aspect of our life both the inner and the outer. It is a process that thoroughly impacts not only how we relate to one another (our ethics) but also our thought life. For every passion, lust and evil desire that we harbor in our hearts must also be put to the Sword of the Spirit and so to death .

Blow Hards'.
I see the Government spin doctors at the weather service are up to it again. Apparently this Winter will be characterized by some really bad conditions: cold, snow, rain, hail, etc. Having beat the "Global Cooling/Warming Horse" to death they are falling back on one of their tried and true favorites: El Nino. However faithful readers of this blog know the truth. We know what is (or better who is) behind it all. For late comers have a look here.

Reflection on Colossians 2.4-5.

In interpreting or reading Scripture it is important to keep in mind that while what we are reading is God’s Word, God’s Word comes to us as literature. We pay attention then to things like genre, historical background and grammar. So, when Paul begins verse 4 of Colossians Chapter 2 by saying I say “this” to you, we are right in asking ourselves what “this” is pointing back to. Context suggests “this” is referring to his teaching on the centrality of Christ in all things. As far as Paul is concerned our knowledge of Christ must inform all aspects of our lives. Our understanding of the cosmos must be informed by our understanding of Christ. Our knowledge of Him must shape our doctrine of the church and of the Christian life. Christ, as Paul has said, is central to our understanding of humanity and our imitation of him to our growth and maturity.
Why then does he remind us of “this”?
As I mentioned in an earlier essay Paul’s primary reason for writing to the Colossians was to see the church come to maturity (1.28). This does not mean though that he has no other objectives. He is also concerned that the church not be moved away from the foundation of Christ by men who themselves have intentionally miscalculated or misunderstood the facts about Christ. He wants to be sure that error of one kind or another does not cause the church to ignore the demands of the Christian life, or that our freedom in Christ is obscured. Paul’s goal is that in all things Christ has primacy. To move towards antinomianism or towards legalism (to the right or to the left) is to move from Christ. All things must have Him as their center.
Paul is sure this will be the case for he knows that the same Spirit that has inspired him to write to the Colossians would also assure, by one means or another, that his Pastoral duties would not be severely hindered by his absence. His confidence in them is buttressed by the knowledge that all things are done among them decently and in order. They are securely attached to the head (Christ) and to one another (the body). They are safely tethered and so they can walk.