The words “Put to death” translates the word νεκρώσατε the Aorist, Imperative, Active form of νεκρόω (nekroō) which the KJV renders as “mortify.” This command refers to a conscious effort to put to death the remaining sin in our flesh. Because real Christians have died with Christ, they can get rid of sinful practices. However, we must not kid ourselves. The language Paul used here makes it clear that we have to take severe measure to conquer sin. Watchfulness and prayerfulness against it will be the first steps. However, make no mistake, avoiding contact with the temptation that entices us into those sins is a major part of mortifying them. That is why we set our minds on the things above where God is instead of on the things of man.

12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:12-13 (NASB)

Compromise is the order of the day. When God’s Word is forsaken and replaced with the subjectivity of Man’s wisdom then what do you expect? When a so-called Evangelical leader can ignore what Sacred Scripture says very clearly about Homosexuality being a sin just like murder and that no practicing homosexual will inherit the Kingdom of God and still call what he teaches “Christianity” well then what we must understand is that what we are dealing with are people who want to be included as practicing Christians while remaining unrepentant of their sins. No matter how much Scripture twisting these faux-preachers try to do, they cannot change what the Apostle Paul wrote and taught about repentance being an integral part of our salvation. If we compare what Paul taught here with what our Lord Jesus clearly taught we see no difference. That part about if we want to come after Jesus we must deny ourselves, take up our Crosses, and follow Him costing us everything, that is a life of repentance my brethren. I wonder how many professing Christians in our time really understand that…

I have used the passage (Colossians 3:1-11) we will study in posts before. I want to focus on one phrase in v5, “put to death.” Here is the entire passage from the NASB.

1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5 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 because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 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. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. Colossians 3:1-11 (NASB)

Paul begins the passage with a rhetorical question. He asks, “if you are really a Christian, if you have been raised with Christ, then…” I find this refreshing. So many today go out of their way to not offend. Paul didn’t mess around. If you are really a Christian then this is what you MUST do. What is it? We must seek the things that are above where Christ is. We do this by setting our minds on things of God rather than the things of man or the things of this world. I challenge you to look at the focus of so much of the stuff in the “missional” movement or the “purpose driven” paradigm or the church growth nonsense or the “having your best life now” or the “WOKE/Social Justice” movement or the “Pentecostal/prosperity gospel” groups to find any thing that is of God. No, those things are all about man and this world.

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