3:1 So it comes down to this: since you have been raised with the Anointed One, the Liberating King, set your mind on heaven above. The Anointed is there, seated at God’s right hand.
3:2 Stay focused on what’s above, not on earthly things,
3:3 because your old life is dead and gone. Your new life is now hidden, enmeshed with the Anointed who is in God.
3:4 On that day when the Anointed One—who is our very life—is revealed, you will be revealed with Him in glory!
3:5 So kill your earthly impulses: loose sex, impure actions, unbridled sensuality, wicked thoughts, and greed (which is essentially idolatry).
3:6 It’s because of these that God’s wrath is coming [upon the sons and daughters of disobedience], so avoid them at all costs.
3:7 These are the same things you once pursued, and together you spawned a life of evil.
3:8 But now make sure you shed such things: anger, rage, spite, slander, and abusive language.
3:9 And don’t go on lying to each other since you have sloughed away your old skin along with its evil practices
3:10 for a fresh new you, which is continually renewed in knowledge according to the image of the One who created you.
3:11 In this re-creation there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian and conqueror, or slave and free because the Anointed is the whole and dwells in us all.
3:12 Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
3:13 Put up with one another. Forgive. Pardon any offenses against one another, as the Lord has pardoned you, because you should act in kind.
3:14 But above all these, put on love! Love is the perfect tie to bind these together.
3:15 Let your hearts fall under the rule of the Anointed’s peace (the peace you were called to as one body), and be thankful.
3:16 Let the word of the Anointed One richly inhabit your lives. With all wisdom teach, counsel, and instruct one another. Sing the psalms, compose hymns and songs inspired by the Spirit, and keep on singing—sing to God from hearts full and spilling over with thankfulness.
3:17 Surely, no matter what you are doing (speaking, writing, or working), do it all in the name of Jesus our Master, sending thanks through Him to God our Father.
3:18 Wives: be submitted to your husbands as is appropriate in the Lord.
3:19 Husbands: love your wives, and don’t treat them harshly or respond with bitterness toward them.
3:20 Children: obey your parents in every way. The Lord is well pleased by it.
3:21 Fathers: don’t infuriate your children, so their hearts won’t harbor resentment and become discouraged.
3:22 Slaves: obey your earthly masters in all things. Don’t just act earnest in your service only when they are watching. Serve with a sincere heart (even when others aren’t watching), fearing the Lord who is always watching!
3:23 So no matter what your task is, work hard. Always do your best as the Lord’s servant, not as man’s,
3:24 because you know your reward is the Lord’s inheritance. You serve the Lord, the Anointed One, and
3:25 anyone who does wrong will be paid his due because He doesn’t play favorites.
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