Upon his description of the Colossians’ state in Christ, the apostle Paul gives practical application. The Christian is to repent from his past sinful actions, or “put to death” and “put off” such actions.

The apostle gives two reasons for eradicating these sins in their lives. 1) “The wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.” 2) “You have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.”

God punishes the disobedient. Even those who have been “raised with Christ,” if they fall away, will be punished. However, one who has been “raised with Christ” is a new man. The new man must continue to grow by attaining the knowledge of Christ. This is accomplished via the study of God’s word (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16).

The Christian must remember, in Christ, his past distinctions – “Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumscised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free” – are not his objective standard by which to live. Christ is in him, and he in Christ, and he must live accordingly!