Christian holiness
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Salvation is not merely forgiveness from the past or hope for the future. It is the present work of God’s Spirit, bringing new birth, uniting us to Christ, forming holiness in us, empowering Christian living, and guaranteeing the resurrection life still to come.
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In Colossians 3:12–17, Paul moves from stripping off the old humanity to putting on the character of Christ. Compassion, kindness, forgiveness, love, peace, and thanksgiving are not optional extras. They are the shared life of God’s new people.
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In Colossians 3:5–11, Paul moves from theology to practice. Because believers have died and been raised with Christ, they must put to death the habits of the old humanity and live as the new creation in Him.
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Paul says believers have died with Christ to the world’s systems. That means the church must not go back to living by fear, control, human rules, and outward religious performance. Colossians 2:20–23 reminds us that Christ did not free His people only to place them under another system that cannot change the heart.