The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:5-7, “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity,

passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.

6 For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come,

7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.

8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.”

Someone once said, “When you see the word therefore, you should ask yourself what it is there for.” In this and most cases, the word serves as a “throwback” to what had been previously stated. Thus, you might want to review the preceding verses. Remember that the theme of this letter is “The Glory and Dignity of Christ.” It is Paul’s responsibility not only to exalt Christ, but to encourage the Colossian believers to follow His example in their own lives.

The word consider literally means “put to death.” This is a bold instruction. Paul knows how impossible evil habits are to shrug off. Don’t “pussy foot” with these habits, he’s saying, just put them to death! Why is it so important? It is because these evil habits are what brings down the wrath of Almighty God! Want to get cancer?

Keep smoking! Want to befuddle your mind? Just keep on drinking alcoholic beverages! You get the idea. Of course, not everyone who contracts physical diseases encounters them from engaging in evil habits; still, Paul stands by his bold instruction. Nothing is worth the risk.

Paul’s words are never frivolous. They’re not “sentence fillers.” They have deep and serious meanings. Further, they are words of the worldly –not of the believer. We, who profess Jesus Christ as our Savior and Deliverer, must pattern our lives after Him! What’s more, if we stay in the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to reign supreme in our lives, we will “be to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:12)!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom