Colossians 3:5-21 Above all walk in love which is the sign of perfection

Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. You also once walked in those, when you lived in them; but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond servant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged. These verses repeat the message of Romans 6 which is if you are a disciple of Jesus Christ a new man has been formed within you. You have the old man - the sin nature and the new man formed by belief in Christ who knows no sin. Our journey then is to put to death the old man and his sin by starving it by feeding the new man with good works, praise, and adoration of Christ Jesus. It is hard to do because you are putting to death those things that are not godly and raising up the regenerated new man by feeding it with the exercise of compassion, forgiveness, thanksgiving, and holiness. When one practices these things you become mature (perfection) in your faith. Above all walk in love which is the sign of perfection.