Colossians 3

He Is Your Life

1 So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides.2 Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ-that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

3 Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life-even though invisible to spectators-is with Christ in God. He is your life.4 When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too-the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.

5 And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God.6 It's because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger.7 It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better.8 But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.

9 Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire.10 Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete.11 Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.

12 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.13 Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.14 And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

15 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.16 Let the Word of Christ-the Message-have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!17 Let every detail in your lives-words, actions, whatever-be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

18 Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master.

19 Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don't take advantage of them.

20 Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end.

21 Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits.

22 Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best.23 Work from the heart for your real Master, for God,24 confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ.25 The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being Christian doesn't cover up bad work.

Colossians 4

1 And masters, treat your servants considerately. Be fair with them. Don't forget for a minute that you, too, serve a Master-God in heaven.

Pray for Open Doors

2 Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude.3 Don't forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I'm locked up in this jail.4 Pray that every time I open my mouth I'll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.

5 Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity.6 Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

7 My good friend Tychicus will tell you all about me. He's a trusted minister and companion in the service of the Master.8 I've sent him to you so that you would know how things are with us, and so he could encourage you in your faith.9 And I've sent Onesimus with him. Onesimus is one of you, and has become such a trusted and dear brother! Together they'll bring you up-to-date on everything that has been going on here.

10 Aristarchus, who is in jail here with me, sends greetings; also Mark, cousin of Barnabas (you received a letter regarding him; if he shows up, welcome him);11 and also Jesus, the one they call Justus. These are the only ones left from the old crowd who have stuck with me in working for God's kingdom. Don't think they haven't been a big help!

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. What a trooper he has been! He's been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you'll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do.13 I've watched him closely, and can report on how hard he has worked for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14 Luke, good friend and physician, and Demas both send greetings.

15 Say hello to our friends in Laodicea; also to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

16 After this letter has been read to you, make sure it gets read also in Laodicea. And get the letter that went to Laodicea and have it read to you.

17 And, oh, yes, tell Archippus, "Do your best in the job you received from the Master. Do your very best."

18 I'm signing off in my own handwriting-Paul. Remember to pray for me in this jail. Grace be with you.

1 Thessalonians 1

1 I, Paul, together here with Silas and Timothy, send greetings to the church at Thessalonica, Christians assembled by God the Father and by the Master, Jesus Christ. God's amazing grace be with you! God's robust peace!

Convictions of Steel

2 Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you're in our prayers3 as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father.4 It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special.

5 When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.6 and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!-taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble.

7 Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you?8 The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master's Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don't even have to say anything anymore-you're the message!9 People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God.10 They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead-Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom.