Keep Focusing on the Messiah

1Therefore, if you have been raised with the Messiah,a keep focusing on the things that are above, where the Messiahb is seated at the right hand of God. 2Keep your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. 3For you have died, and your life has been safely guarded by the Messiahc in God. 4When the Messiah,d who ise yourf life, is revealed, then you, too, will be revealed with him in glory.

5So put to death your worldly impulses:g sexual sin, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient.h 7You used to behave like them as you lived among them. 8But now you must also get rid of anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene speech, and all such sins. 9Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old nature with its practices 10and have clothed yourselves with the new nature, which is being renewed in full knowledge, consistent with the image of the one who created it. 11In himi there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian,j slave, or free person. Instead, the Messiahk is all and in all.

12Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness,l and patience. 13Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lordm has forgiven you, you also should forgive.n 14Above all, clothe yourselves witho love, which ties everything together in unity. 15Let the peace of the Messiahp also rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body, and be thankful. 16Let the word of the Messiahq inhabit you richly with wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and singing to God with thankfulness in your hearts. 17And whatever you do, whether by speech or action, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Family Duties

18Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate for those who belong to the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh withr them.

20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. 21Fathers, do not make your children resentful. Otherwise, they’ll become discouraged.

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched in order to please them, but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing its for the Lord and not merely for people. 24You know that it is from the Lord that you will receive the inheritance as a reward. It is the Lord Messiaht whom you are serving! 25For the person who does what is wrong will be paid back for what he has done without favoritism.