Colossians 3:3 – “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
The third chapter of Colossians is a powerful reminder of how Christians are called to live differently after coming to faith in Christ. It’s a passage that speaks not only to our external behavior but also to the transformation that happens inside of us when we embrace a life centered on Jesus.
In this chapter, Paul urges believers to strip away their sinful desires, encouraging us to “put to death” anything that separates us from God. This isn’t merely about making better moral choices; it’s about experiencing a complete spiritual renewal that leads to new, holy living. But what really stood out to me from this chapter is the beauty and depth of verse 3.
“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
This verse carries a profound message, and while it’s easy to gloss over it, something about it caught my heart this time. It’s a verse many of us may have read countless times before, but sometimes, the Holy Spirit decides to reveal something new to us at just the right moment. That’s exactly what I experienced with this verse, and I want to take you along on this journey of revelation.
Let’s break it down and look at what this passage truly means for us today.
The Meaning of “You Have Died”
What does it mean when Paul says, “You have died”? Obviously, we’re still physically alive, so Paul must be talking about a different kind of death here. This is the death of the old self, the person we used to be before we encountered Christ. It’s the death of our sinful nature—the part of us that was ruled by selfish desires, worldly ambitions, and everything that pulls us away from God.
Before accepting Christ, we lived according to the flesh, meaning we were driven by human desires and impulses. These desires might have manifested in various ways—greed, anger, lust, envy, or even pride. In some cases, it wasn’t just about outward actions but also about inner attitudes. We might have been the kind of people who held grudges, judged others, or let bitterness fester in our hearts. All of this falls under the category of “the old self.”
When we give our lives to Christ, we are called to “die” to that old way of living. This is not a passive process; it’s something we actively participate in by surrendering our lives to God daily. It’s a decision to reject sin, to say, “I don’t want to live like this anymore.” It’s about putting to death the things that stand in opposition to God’s will for us.
But here’s the thing: this is not just a one-time event. We don’t wake up one morning and say, “Okay, I’m dead to sin,” and then never struggle again. Dying to the old self is a continual process, something we have to consciously choose every day. And that’s where the Holy Spirit comes in, empowering us to live out this new life in Christ.
A New Life in Christ: “Your Life is Hidden with Christ in God”
The next part of the verse is equally as important: “your life is hidden with Christ in God.” To me, this is the real heart of the passage, and it’s the part that made me pause and say,
“Wow, wow, wow!” What does it mean for our life to be hidden with Christ?
When something is hidden, it’s no longer visible—it’s as if it’s been concealed from view. Paul is telling us that our old life, the life ruled by sin, is no longer visible because it has been hidden with Christ in God. We are no longer the same people we once were. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our old identity is hidden, and a new identity—rooted in Christ—takes its place.
This means that when God looks at us, He no longer sees the sinful, broken people we once were. Instead, He sees the righteousness of Christ. Our life is now intertwined with Jesus, so much so that our old selves have disappeared. The beauty of this truth is that it’s not about what we’ve done or haven’t done; it’s about what Christ has done for us.
But there’s even more depth to this idea of being “hidden” in Christ. Being hidden means that we are secure. Think about it: when something is hidden, it’s protected. Our lives are safe in Christ. No matter what happens to us in this world—whether we face trials, temptations, or even persecution—our lives are securely hidden with Him. We are under God’s care and protection. We belong to Him, and nothing can change that.
The Transformation in Christ: The Fruit of the Spirit
This transformation—this new hidden life—isn’t something we can keep to ourselves. It has to be visible in how we live. Paul talks about the “fruits of the Spirit,” which are the outward evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. When we are hidden with Christ, these fruits begin to show. Our lives should reflect the character of Jesus in every way.
Here are some of the fruits that Paul mentions elsewhere in Scripture:
- Goodness
- Kindness
- Patience
- Self-control
- Peace
- Joy
- Love
Each of these traits is a reflection of Christ’s nature, and they become more evident in our lives as we grow in our relationship with Him.
I want to focus on love for a moment because it’s the most important of all.
In fact, 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that without love, all of our good works and spiritual gifts are meaningless. Love is what binds everything together. It doesn’t matter what your background is, your religious beliefs, or your worldview—love is the universal force that connects us all as part of God’s spiritual family.
But what exactly is love?
Love: The Greatest Fruit of All
Let’s start by looking at what love is not. The Bible gives us a clear picture of this. Love is:
- Not hateful
- Not envious
- Not jealous
- Not resentful
- Not lustful
- Not murderous
- Not gossiping
If you ever find yourself engaging in these behaviors, you’re not acting in love. It’s easy to fall into these traps, especially when we feel hurt, insecure, or angry. But true love rises above these negative emotions.
Love is the opposite of all these things. It is patient, kind, forgiving, selfless, and pure. The next time you’re tempted to gossip about someone, or to hold a grudge, remember that you are called to love. Love does not seek to harm others; instead, it seeks their good.
In practical terms, this means that we need to examine our hearts and our actions daily. Are we loving others the way Christ loves us? Are we reflecting His love in our relationships, our conversations, and even our thoughts? This is the kind of love that transforms not only our lives but also the lives of those around us.
Reflecting Christ in Our Daily Lives
Going back to Colossians 3:3, the idea of being hidden with Christ isn’t just about what happens on the inside—it’s also about how we live outwardly. When we are truly hidden in Christ, it should be evident to everyone around us. People should see something different in the way we speak, the way we act, and the way we treat others.
This doesn’t mean we have to be perfect, but it does mean that we are constantly striving to become more like Jesus. And as we do, our old selves—those sinful, selfish tendencies—become less visible, while Christ becomes more visible.
This is why it’s so important to stay close to God in prayer, to immerse ourselves in His Word, and to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. The more we focus on Jesus, the more we’ll reflect His character.
Becoming More Like Jesus
At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about—becoming more like Jesus and less like our old selves. This is a journey we are all on as believers. Some days it feels easier than others, but every day is an opportunity to grow.
I pray that Colossians 3:3 would take root in your heart as it has in mine.
May the Holy Spirit ignite this truth within us, reminding us that we have died to our old selves and that our new life is hidden with Christ. And as we grow in our faith, may we reflect more and more of Him in everything we do.
Remember, we are no longer the same. We are transformed, and our lives are now a reflection of Jesus.
Be blessed, and keep your eyes on Him—He is coming soon!
