Sins vs. Signs of Love

One of the things Paul talks about in the book of Colossians that he writes is that as Christians, we should live as those who are made alive in Christ. We shouldn't live by the things of this world because when we do that, we won't get anywhere. We might get some short satisfaction, but that eternal feeling we look for and our hearts long for we will never feel with the ways of the world.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have out on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and is in all. 
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds the all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:5-14)

There is a lot going on in that passage. If you are reading it for the first time you might think it seems like there are a lot of things that we need to get rid of in our lives and only a few things that we should add/consistently live by. It's almost like a rule book.

I think the best possible way to distinguish the sins and the signs of love that Paul talks about it to make three different lists.

1. Sins of Sexual Attitude and Behavior 

- Sexual immorality 
- Impurity
- Lust
- Evil desires
- Greed

2. Sins of Speech 

- Anger/Rage
- Malice
- Slander
- Filthy language
- Lying

3. Signs of Love

- Compassion
- Kindness
- Humility
- Gentleness 
- Patience
- Forgivness

In Colossians 3:5 Paul tells us to put to death the things found in list 1. In 3:8, 9 he tells us to rid ourselves of the things found in list 2. In 3:12, 13 we're told to clothe ourselves with the things found in list 3. List 1 deals with sins of sexual attitudes and behavior-they are particularly destructive because of what they do to destroy any group or church. List 2 deals with sins of speech-these are the relationship breakers. List 3 contains the relationship builders, which we are to express as members of Christ's body.

I hope this list made this passage in scripture more distinguishable for you and my challenge for you is to really rid yourself from things found in list 1 and list 2 and to clothe yourself in the things found in list 3. As Christians that is how we are supposed to live as members of Christ's body.