True spirituality focuses the intellect on spiritual things, on theology and on heaven, and not on earthly things. As it does so, it puts off the old man and puts on the new man (v. 5, 9-10). This is the ethical application, and there are two sides to it, one negative and one positive. On the negative side, it recognizes flesh for it is and refuses to think and behave according to its nature, but rather puts it to death and throws it off. On the positive side, it recognizes the qualities of holiness and consciously puts them on in one's thinking and behavior.

This new self "is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator" (v. 10). In a parallel passage, Paul writes, "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24). The procedure deals with spiritual knowledge, attention, and attitude, thus it is decidedly intellectual. True spirituality is a product of an application of sound theology through an education and exercise of the intellect.

Because the procedure in attaining true spirituality is intellectual, it is also deliberate. It can be studied, taught, discussed, performed, examined, improved, repaired, and redirected. And because it is deliberate, it also means that there is no excuse for believers to fail to learn and attain this true spirituality. In addition, verse 11 indicates that every kind of person can become spiritual through Christ. A Jew is not more spiritual than a non-Jew, and the circumcised is not more spiritual than the uncircumcised. It all depends on how the person is related to Christ.

A contrast between the qualities of the flesh versus the spirit, the old man versus the new man, is presented to us. Paul says that all non-Christians are immoral, impure, evil, and greedy (v. 5). They are a people of rage, malice, slander, and filthy language (v. 8). It is disturbing that many people accuse me of using abusive expressions, but they refuse to acknowledge that I am merely repeating or applying what the Bible says. In the name of God and by the authority of his word, I charge them with apostasy. Now, if you are too much of a coward or a men-pleaser to speak the truth, then at least do not get in my way when I do it. Otherwise, you are only making yourself an enemy of Christ.

I will say more about this when we come to 4:6, but here we must note the depraved condition in which we find the unbelievers. As Paul says to the Colossians, "You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived" (v. 7). It is necessary to acknowledge the extreme filth and baseness of a non-Christian's condition in order to honor the greatness of God's grace in saving us from it. To beautify the non-Christian's condition is also to insult God's grace and devalue Christ's sacrifice. Because of the evil qualities and actions of non-Christians, "the wrath of God is coming" (v. 6).

Then, Paul turns to the Christians and calls them "God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved" (v. 12). What a difference! What a mighty deliverance! And now they are to throw off the evil qualities and actions of their former state, and put on things like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (v. 12). The new man can forgive others as the Lord forgives (v. 13), and can exercise a love that binds the people of God "in perfect unity" (v. 14). Therefore, on the basis of our new "vertical" relationship with God, now we may live out this true spirituality in our "horizontal" relationship with men.

Although the qualities of the new man apply to all our horizontal relationships, they are especially relevant and fitting when exercised within the covenant community. And so Paul proceeds to say, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace" (v. 15). This verse is often misapplied to address the topic of subjective extra-biblical guidance. That is, if a Christian has a peaceful feeling about a person, a decision, or an action, then supposedly it has God's approval and blessing. But this is not at all what the word refers to. The verse is talking about the relationships between believers, and this peace is referring to an objective and relational peace. It is the opposite of hostility and animosity between people, and not the opposite of unrest and turmoil within a person's mind.

Elsewhere, Paul writes, "Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). Again, this peace describes the relationship that Christians have with God. Because they have been justified in Christ, there is no more conflict between them. And because believers participate in this peaceful relationship with God together in Christ, they are to maintain this peaceful relationship with one another as well.

Verse 16, among other things, again indicates that this spiritual relationship among believers is to be an intellectual one: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom." The content of our conversation is to be the word of Christ, the mode is to be teaching, and the quality is to be wisdom. The relationship is thoroughly intellectual. And if we are not saying it, then we are to be singing it: "…as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

Then, verse 17 would remind us that even in our human relationships and in our daily lives, all that we do, whether in word or deed, we should do with a view to please and honor the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father. We are to be set our minds on the things above even as we deal with the things on earth.

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