20160901 Thursday, September 1 2016
Colossians 03: Spiritual Self Defense

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience"

In any civilized society, lawful self-defense is the right of everyone. If there is no lesser option, it is legal to kill someone who is about to commit murder (consider carefully the Biblical difference between killing and murder; see Your Right Of Self Defense).

The principle applies not only to criminal people, but to criminal immorality that will deprive you of your spiritual life (see Why The Immoral Will Not Become Immortal) just as much as a criminal will deprive you of your physical life. Notice how the Christians at Corinth "put to death" the choice of behavior that would have surely taken their eternal life.

"6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV)

The LORD is the Judge (see How Will Jesus Christ Judge The Earth? and What Does Grace Really Mean?). Mankind has declared many perversions to be right, or even a "right" (see Why Should Perverted Rights Be Called Lefts?), but that is no justification or excuse. Those who do wrong are not in charge of what is truly right (see Iniquity In History And Prophecy and Is Iniquity Liberal Or Conservative?).

Notice how the apostle Paul refused to exercise those of his legal "rights" that were wrongs (see They Aren't Rights If The LORD Says They're Wrongs).

"6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (1 Corinthians 6:12 KJV)

Living a genuine Christian life is a matter of looking above and beyond to the destination (see Aim High), not to mere places along the Way that can become a dead end for those who make them so (see Christ Died For Repentant Sinners).

"3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4 KJV)

As he taught everyone else, Paul emphasized that God's people must "mortify" (i.e. put to death) the immoral behavior that is as lethal an enemy as one could ever have. No one but you can deprive you of your salvation.

"3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:" (Colossians 3:5-10 KJV)

The Law of Salvation (see Faith Is The Law) is the same for everyone (see The Harvests Of Salvation).

"3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 3:16 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. 3:17 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.

3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons." (Colossians 3:11-25 KJV)

Fact Finder: What protects the LORD's people from attack? How does wearing it cause more attacks than would otherwise happen?
See Why Does The LORD's Armour Attract The Devil's Fire?