“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”
(Colossians 3:5)
The believers in Colosse were young converts navigating the difficult terrain of sanctification. They were wrestling with the reality that, although they had been spiritually renewed, the remnants of the old nature remained. The Apostle Paul addresses their tension with pastoral clarity in Colossians 3, urging them to seek those things which are above, to set their affections on Christ, and to put to death the sinful desires that belong to their former way of life. “For ye are dead,” Paul says, “and your life is hid with Christ in God.”
To the natural mind, Paul’s language can be difficult to decipher when he speaks of being “dead,” of “mortifying members,” of being “hid with Christ.” But when viewed through the lens of the gospel the meaning becomes clear, because the believer died with Christ and has been raised with Him. That death is not symbolic or metaphorical; it entails a real spiritual death to the dominion of sin. Sin no longer controls the believer because the old man has been crucified with Christ. Just as our sins were imputed to Christ and punished on the cross, so also has His resurrection life been imputed to us by grace through faith.
But the command remains: “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth.” Continual mortification—daily refusing sin’s allure, resisting temptation, and rejecting the former affections of the flesh—is our duty as believers. And it involves not only the putting away of outward actions, but also the rooting out of inward corruptions such as excessive pursuits, covetousness, and inappropriate affections—those hidden inclinations of the soul that are as defiling as outward, visible sins.
But this process of mortification requires divine help. We cannot accomplish sanctification in and of ourselves; it is the work of the Spirit that indwells the believer. So although this daily killing of sin is a battle that continues until glory, the believer is not left to wage war alone. We are told in Romans 8:13 that “if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” The Spirit grants strength to resist, light to see sin as it is, and grace to pursue holiness.
In addition, Christ who is seated at the right hand of God intercedes continually for His people. His death was once for all, but His ministry continues even now. And the Spirit, whom He has sent, dwells within every believer, enabling the daily work of sanctification.[1] Yet the command to mortify still falls on the believer as an act of obedience rendered through divine strength. And prayer, Scripture, and dependence on Christ are the means God provides to press forward in this work.
So although besetting sins persist and temptations do not relent, victory is found not in our own resolve but in the power of Christ. We are called to wage war against sin, but we do so with the confidence that we do not fight for victory—we fight from the position of victory.
Therefore, let us esteem the glorious work of sanctification not as a burden but as a divine privilege. For in putting off the old man and putting on the new, we bear the image of Christ more clearly. And in this daily dying to sin, we prepare for that day when we shall appear with Him in glory.
Contemplation:
- The Daily Battle Against Sin. As I strive to live a life pleasing to God, I am reminded of the constant battle against sin within me. Colossians 3:5 instructs me to put to death those sins that want to rise up in me, a task that requires my daily attention and effort. And though this battle is continuous, it is a battle worth fighting, for it conforms me more and more to the image of Christ.
- The Subtlety of Inward Sin. David prayed, “Search my heart and know my thoughts Lord. See if there is any wickedness in me…” (Ps. 139:23-24). I realize the greatest challenge in my spiritual journey is often those subtle, inward sins. Those selfish desires and unchecked affections that quietly take root in my heart are potentially even more dangerous than the obvious, visible sins. Recognizing and confronting these hidden sins is crucial in my walk with God. I must not be deceived by what I do not see immediately.
- The Idolatry of Covetousness. When I consider the nature of covetousness, I understand why Paul equates it with idolatry. This sin, though often unnoticed, can easily become the central focus of my life, replacing God and thereby disregarding the first commandment. This is a reminder to continually examine where my true loyalty and affections lie. Am I content in Christ alone, or have I subtly made room for rivals on the throne of my heart?
- Strength in Christ for Mortification. The task of mortifying sin can seem daunting, but I am comforted by the knowledge that I do not face this challenge alone. My strength to overcome sin comes from Christ, as Philippians 4:13 assures me. Leaning on His strength and guidance, I navigate the path of mortification with faith and hope and victory. This life of putting off sin and putting on Christ is sustained by grace, not grit, and that gives me courage to persevere.
Prayer
Almighty and Most Holy God,
You who dwell in unapproachable light, whose holiness is pure and infinite, we bow before You in reverence and worship. You alone are worthy of all glory, for You are the God who sanctifies His people. From before the foundation of the world, You chose a people for Yourself, not because of any goodness in them, but out of the sovereign purpose of Your grace. And now, having called us by Your Word and Spirit, You are pleased to conform us to the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
I praise You for the power of the gospel that not only justifies but sanctifies. I adore You for the work of the Spirit within me, who wages war against the flesh and enables me to walk in newness of life. I praise You that through the death of Christ, my old man was crucified, and that sin shall not have dominion over me. How marvelous is Your grace, that even as I continue to battle with sin’s presence, its power has been broken by the cross of Christ.
You are the God who commands me to mortify my members upon the earth, and yet You do not leave me to do it alone. You give the Spirit as Helper, the Scriptures as light, prayer as a weapon, and the fellowship of the saints for strength. I exalt You for Your faithfulness—for even when I stumble in weakness, You never forsake me. You restore me, strengthen me, and remind me that Christ is my righteousness, my Advocate, my Shepherd, and my King.
O Lord, let Your holiness stir my soul to long after righteousness. Cause me to hate every sin that remains, not merely because of its consequences, but because it grieves Your Spirit and offends Your majesty. Let me not tolerate what You have condemned, nor excuse what You have called me to crucify. May the beauty of holiness captivate my heart and the promise of glory fuel my resolve.
Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your Son, in whom I am hid, by whom I am cleansed, and through whom I am made new. Let His name be exalted in my thoughts, my affections, and my actions. As I look forward to the day when He shall appear and I shall be like Him, let me walk even now as one who belongs to that day. Strengthen me by grace to live in the power of His resurrection and to die daily to the old man.
You are worthy, O Lord, of a sanctified people. May I live as one who honors the One who died and rose again for me.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Colossians 3:5:
Eph. 5:5, Rom. 8:13, Exod. 20:14, Jer. 6:13.
[1] James Fergusson, A Brief Exposition of the Epistles of Paul to the Philippians and Colossians (Edinburgh: Christopher Higgins .., 1656), 212.
