Colossians 3

March Memory Verse: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 NIV

Read: Colossians 3

Is Jesus your life? Would you be willing to surrender wants and desires for Him? Do you talk about Him with those around you? Are you changing because of your relationship with Him? Do you desire to spend time with Him every day or do you do it out of obligation?

You see, when you come into a relationship with God, Jesus should be your whole life. That is what we see in the first four verses of Colossians 3. “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ (v. 1a)… and when Christ, who is your life (v. 4a)…”.

How can we make sure Jesus is our life? Well, let’s make a list from Colossians 3:
• Seek the things above (v. 1b)
• Set your mind on things above (v. 2a)
• Put to death what is earthly (v. 3-9a)
• Put off the old self (v. 9b)
• Put on the new self (v. 10)
• Put on godliness (v. 12-15)
• Be in God’s Word and praise Him (v. 16)
• Do all things for the Lord (v. 17)
• Wives submit to your husbands (v. 18)
• Husbands love your wives (v. 19)
• Children obey your parents (v. 20)
• Fathers, don’t aggravate your children (v. 21)
• Work willingly (v. 22-24)

This list is not what makes Jesus your life (that would be legalism and works based salvation). Instead, this list shows Jesus is your life. It shows that He is at the center of your mind, life, relationships, and more. If you are doing this list of things, people will know that there is something different about you. And if they ask, tell them how Jesus is your life.

Is Jesus your life? What things might need to change in your life to make Jesus your life?

By: Brice Stockton

15 Comments


Korbet Finley - March 1st, 2021 at 5:46am

"Seeking...and setting your mind on the things above," (v.1,2)



As I enter into my day, I am thankful to God for the work set before me, and the family that surrounds me. Life is very different as a believer and it starts here, seeking and setting one's heart toward Christ.

Brice Stockton - March 1st, 2021 at 10:44pm

Thanks Korbet!

Mike Pepper - March 1st, 2021 at 5:49am

Good word to start the week Brice!



13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.



23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.



These two verses stood out to me today. Can you imagine the difference it would make in the world if God’s people followed these two verses? The strife and conflict that would be eliminated or resolved at work & in the church would have a profound impact on everyone.



Reflections on verse 23: I’m old enough to remember when you received a paper paycheck from your employer each pay cycle. With direct deposit, almost no one sees their paycheck unless they go online, usually thru ADP, to see it. Imagine if each week you received your compensation the check was signed by Jesus? In other words, Jesus would be your employer. Guess what, for the believer He is! Verse 23 tells us to work as though working for the Lord. So whether you’re a butcher, baker, or candlestick maker, you’re working for Jesus. All of us are missionaries cleverly disguised in various occupations. Lost people are all around us. The harvest is ripe but the workers are few. I’m glad to be a co-labor with each of you in the harvest fields.

Brice Stockton - March 1st, 2021 at 10:45pm

Great comments Mike!

Daniel White - March 1st, 2021 at 6:15am

Thank you Brice for being so bold with your questions!

Also good reminder (to doers like me) that this is not a to do list to earn favor with God or salvation from God.



Paul is casting a vision of what a true disciple of Jesus Christ looks like and that if God has saved us He has started a work in us that He will be faithful to bring it to completion. Paul calls us to fully surrender our earthly lives so that we can fully live in the new life God has called us to!

Brice Stockton - March 1st, 2021 at 10:45pm

This is awesome! Thanks Daniel!

Jordan Hampton - March 1st, 2021 at 6:27am

I think it is interesting how everything in that list starts with an action verb (seek, put, etc). This shows us that we are commanded to do so, and therefore able to do so. We have responsibility to take ownership in seeking things above, putting on the new self, and putting on the list of godly traits in vv. 12-15. I so often take a bad approach to humility and think, "Ah, I'm not really able to fight this sin and to change". That's a lie. God offers us a way to do these things through humble dependence in Him to make the choice to grow in godliness by deciding to take calculated, planned steps towards fighting the war daily with our own flesh and the brokenness we live in.

Lindsay R Crawford - March 1st, 2021 at 8:50am

So true, Jordan! I love v. 12. It takes action on our part, and then God honors our obedience with power and ability to contend with all the adversity of this life. I would be a complete and utter failure without God and all His promises.

Have a blessed day Jumpstart readers!

Brice Stockton - March 1st, 2021 at 10:46pm

Love this! Thanks Jordan!

Thomas Carter - March 1st, 2021 at 9:17am

Verse 16 stood out to me today. "Let the word of Christ DWELL in you richly". To dwell means to be immersed in, or to linger by. The example of a tea bag comes to mind. If you quickly dip the tea bag into the water and take it back out, the water is changed very little. But if you allow the tea bag to sit immersed (dwell) in the water, it is completely transformed.

The same is true for our lives. If I rush through my time in God's word, I will see a little change. But if I dwell in it, His word will completely transform me. That is my prayer for myself and other faithful Jumpstart readers, that we would truly dwell in God's Word and not rush through it.

Brice Stockton - March 1st, 2021 at 10:47pm

This is a great reminder!

Scottie Frans - March 1st, 2021 at 9:22am

I remember being at Winter Conference with CRU back in the mid 2000's and Sinclair Ferguson (google him, he's got some great stuff) preached on this. He brought up the story of how a famous, successful golfer would always go to a golf coach at the beginning of the season and have him teach the fundamentals of golf. Even though the golfer was highly successful and one of the best in the game, he never wanted to forget the fundamentals because without that, you start can get caught up in the bigger things and forget what made you who you are. This passage is that way for the believer. Much like Brice pointed out, this is a list of things that should be in every believers life. These are the basics, the fundamentals, of Christianity. It is so important that we read this passage and look at what Paul is listing here, and check on ourselves to make sure we have these things in our life. We can sometimes get caught up in having a great theological knowledge, or having perfect attendance at church, or any number of other things, but if we don't have the basics, if we aren't bearing this fruit, it may be time for us to rewind and get back to the root of what Paul says we should have in our lives as believers. Thanks for the challenging questions this morning, Brice!

Brice Stockton - March 1st, 2021 at 10:48pm

What a great illustration. Let us get back to the basics! Thanks Scottie!

Reva - March 1st, 2021 at 8:23pm

Much needed questions for me!!! Thank you Brice!

Brice Stockton - March 1st, 2021 at 10:48pm

You’re welcome Reva! Praying for you!

Get The App

Stay connected and get the latest content.

Download The App