THIS passage commences with the word 'Therefore', and so we know that what Paul teaches in these verses follow as a direct consequence of the fact we have died with Christ, and risen to new life with him. There are three things which follow as a consequence of our new life in Christ. The first is our glorious privileged position. The second is the beautiful character we must show. The third is the blessings we can appropriate and know.

1. Our glorious privileged position.

Our glorious position in Christ is described by Paul as -

a. God's chosen people. Out of all the people in the world God has chosen us to be given salvation from death and hell, and have the blessing of eternal life, and membership of his family. We did not chose God. He chose us to receive mercy through Christ, and gave us an interest in the death of Christ for our sins. This is not only taught here but is given in greater fullness in Ephesians 1: 3-10 and Romans 8: 28-30. The apostle Peter also tells us the same thing in 1 Peter 2: 9-10. It will be good for us all to read these passages which are just a taste of the teaching of the whole bible. This doctrine gives all glory to God, and certain assurance to the believer because our assurance of heaven depends on God's election and not on our faltering and imperfect works.

b. Holy.

Through Christ we are holy. This declares that through Christ every believer is clothed in the righteousness of Christ so that God looks upon us as totally righteous in his sight; and being raised to knew life we have been created in this new life to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4: 24.)

c. Dearly loved.

Through Christ we have been reconciled to God and made members of God's kingdom and family, and God as our Father loves us with an everlasting and infinite love. We are beloved of the Lord, not because of any merit in us, but because God in grace has set his love upon us, and saved us for himself.

2. The beautiful character we show.

Paul tells us the character we must be clothed in. It is the projection of the image of Christ in our new self. Our new self approves all these wonderful characteristics and longs to live them and be them, so according to Paul's injunction in verse 5 we seek to put to death all the characteristics of our corrupt flesh, and put on the virtues of holiness which characterise our new self in Christ. They all were exemplified by Christ when he lived on earth, so by looking at him in the Gospels we shall have his example to follow; and by seeking to know him better through the Holy Spirit and God's Word we shall be continually clothing ourselves in these virtues. When ever we notice a failure in our living with regard to these virtues, then we must repent, and seek Christ's grace to be more like him in the future. We can do no better than to read verses 12b-14 over and over again until our minds are filled with the remembrance of them, and our hearts are filled with the desire to fulfil them.

3. The blessings we can appropriate and know.

a. Peace.

Christ came to bring us peace. Through his death for us we have peace with God. From this we have peace from fear of death and fear of the future; and because of this peace we desire to live at peace with others. This Peace of Christ we must allow to rule us – that is control and motivate all our thinking and feeling.

b. The Bible.

Paul speaks here of the Word of Christ. The word of Christ is not only his teaching in the Gospels, but the whole of the Bible as Christ affirmed it to be all God's Word.