Becoming Who You Already Are
A Sermon on Colossians 3:5–17
Last Sunday, we talked about walking in Christ. I described the Christian life as a journey, but not a journey in which we are trying to reach some new place. Christ has already walked this path before us, and surprisingly, in this journey, we finish where we started. Our journey begins at baptism, when we are united with Christ forever. The rest of the journey is the process of becoming who we already are in Christ.
Sanctification
In traditional theological terms, we call this process “sanctification,” but I prefer a different term. Sanctification comes from the Latin word sanctus, meaning “holy.” Yes, the Christian life should involve becoming more holy. But holy is also a somewhat vague term. The Pharisees thought they were holy, and Jesus disagreed. Countless people in every generation have considered themselves holy by whatever standard their culture offered—and I suspect Jesus would have disagreed with many of them as well.
Christification
Our goal in the Christian life isn't just generic or cultural holiness; it's Christlikeness. We aim to become more like Jesus. That’s why—although it will never become popular—I prefer the term Christification over sanctification, because what we’re really discussing is how we grow to be more like Christ, more like the person we already are in Christ.
This is the theme I want us to consider this morning: Becoming Who We Already Are in Christ.
Baptismal Identity & Christian Living
Our reading in Colossians begins at verse five of chapter three, but we need to back up a bit to get the whole picture. In last week’s reading, Paul wrote that we were:
buried with [Christ] in baptism, in which [we] were also raised with him (Col 2:12).
These words are more than just theological window dressing for Paul; they are, instead, the foundation of Christian living.
Paul explores both themes—death and resurrection—as he progresses in chapter two. In verse 20, he writes:
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations … according to human precepts and teachings? (Col 2:20–22)
And then, starting in Colossians 3:1, he writes:
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:1–3).
Notice the language. “You have died. You have been raised.” For Paul, baptismal identity is not a metaphor; it is reality. He assumes that these truths are true of you: you have died with Christ, you have been raised with Christ, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
For Paul, baptismal identity is not a metaphor; it is reality.
And so, he writes in verse 5:
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you (Col 3:5).
Do you see the logic Paul is using? We must understand how this works. Paul begins with baptismal theology. He starts with what is true of you because you are in Christ, and then he says, “And now you’ve got to make this real in your life.” He says, “Because you have died with Christ in the baptismal waters, put to death what is earthly in you. And likewise, because you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above.”
That reasoning only holds if verse 3 is true, if:
Your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:3).
The Real You
Now I know what you might be thinking because I’m thinking it too. Maybe you’re thinking, “Father, this is a nice idea, but I know myself. I know my weaknesses. I know my failures. I know my shortcomings. I know my sin. I know who I truly am.”
To this, Paul responds:
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Col 3:4).
The you that you know now—the ego, the broken self, the sin-marked you—that you died in the waters of baptism. He was drowned there, like Pharaoh’s armies drowning in the Red Sea.
You have died and have been brought back to life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Now, your life is hidden with Christ in God, and this means that your true self, your most authentic identity (because it is who God says you are), is yet to be revealed. The real you will appear when Christ appears in glory, which means, thankfully, that your best self and your best life are still ahead of you.
Until then, you are being reshaped and renewed by the Holy Spirit into the shape of that hidden life. Sanctification, or if you’ll allow it, Christification, is the sometimes painful process (Paul describes it as death) of becoming who you already are in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And Paul gets very specific about what this looks like. Starting in verse 5, he writes:
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them (Col 3:5–7).
Paul isn't giving vague advice. He’s identifying sin—real sin rooted in real lives. These aren't struggles only for others; they're our struggles. They represent the earthly, Adamic part of us that must be put to death so Christ’s life can shine through us.
Paul continues:
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (Col 3:8–10).
I love that final phrase. The new self is being renewed in what? Knowledge. If you ever wonder why I spend so much time trying to get knowledge out of my head and into yours, remember Col 3:10. The new self is not renewed by vague spirituality, magic crystals, or self-will. Your new self is renewed in knowledge—knowledge of the truth, knowledge of Jesus Christ.
But Paul doesn’t just discuss what must be put to death. He also explains what to put on — what resurrection life truly looks like when it is lived out.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive (Col 3:12–13).
These are not just abstract ideals. They are the habits of a resurrected life. They are Christlike. They represent who you already are in Christ and who you are called to become.
And then Paul reaches his summary statement in verse 14:
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (Col 3:14).
Love is the thread that holds the entire new self together. It is not just an emotion of affection, but the selfless, others-focused love of Christ reflected in and through his baptized people.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful (Col 3:15).
Becoming who you already are isn’t a solo effort; it's a community project. You can’t become the person you are in Christ without the Church and other Christians. In other words, you need the body of Christ.
Becoming who you already are isn’t a solo effort; it’s a community project.
Paul writes:
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God (Col 3:16).
We need the word of Christ to dwell richly among us. I don’t want to make too much of this, but it’s fascinating to me that Paul doesn’t use the phrase “the Word of God.” He says we need to have the Word of Christ dwelling richly in us. To achieve this, we must teach one another, admonish one another, forgive one another, and sing with one another. We need each other because our Christification is not just individual—it is ecclesial. It is communal. It is a process we go through together as members of one body.
Becoming Who You Already Are
Here's what I want you to do this week: spend time each day reading the end of Colossians 2 and the first half of Colossians 3. Read the passages slowly. Take your time. Pray over them. Let them read you as you read them.
As you do, ask yourself:
What still needs to die in me?
What have I been clinging to that is earthly and empty?
What do I need to put on as one whose life is hidden with Christ in God?
A simple way to understand this is to remember that we should eliminate what is earthly and worldly in us, and instead, embrace what is heavenly and of the kingdom of God. If we keep these two categories in mind, we will clearly see what in us still needs to die and what needs to be brought to life.
And let’s not forget where this journey starts and where it concludes. Our journey begins and ends in Christ.
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Col 3:4).
Until then, we walk in Christ. We grow into Christ. As one body, we become like Christ. Together, we become who we already are in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
Life Group Guide
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss your Word today, we ask that you open our hearts and minds to understand what it means to become more like Christ. Help us to see ourselves as you see us: already made new in Christ, yet still being transformed. Guide our conversation and reveal to each of us what needs to die and what needs to come alive in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Ice Breaker
If you could instantly master one skill or ability that would make you more effective in your daily life, what would it be and why?
Key Verses
Colossians 2:20–3:17
Questions
Consider using the term “Christification” instead of “sanctification.” How does focusing specifically on becoming like Christ (rather than just “holy”) change your perspective on spiritual growth?
Paul writes, “You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” What do you think it means for your life to be “hidden with Christ”?
The sermon states that “your true self, your most authentic identity... is yet to be revealed.” How does this perspective challenge our culture's emphasis on “finding yourself” or “being your authentic self”?
Looking at Paul's list in verses 5-9 of things to “put to death,” which of these areas do you find most challenging in your own life?
Becoming who we already are in Christ “isn't a solo effort, it’s a community project.” How has Christian community helped you grow more like Christ?
Paul emphasizes that the new self is “being renewed in knowledge.” How vital is theological knowledge and understanding in your spiritual growth?
The sermon mentions that we should “eliminate what is earthly and worldly in us and instead embrace what is heavenly and of the kingdom of God.” What's one “heavenly” quality you want to develop more in your life?
How does the reality that “when Christ appears, you also will appear with him in glory” affect how you view your current struggles with sin?
Life Application
This week, spend time each day reading Colossians 2:20-3:17 slowly and prayerfully. Keep a journal where you note specific answers to these two questions: “What still needs to die in me?” and “What do I need to put on as one whose life is hidden with Christ in God?” At the end of the week, choose one specific action that will help you put to death something earthly and one action that will help you put on something heavenly.
Key Takeaways
Through baptism, Christians have already died and been raised with Christ - our journey is about becoming who we already are in Him.
Our true identity is hidden with Christ in God and will be fully revealed when Christ appears in glory.
The Christian life involves both putting to death what is earthly (like sexual immorality, anger, and malice) and putting on what is Christlike (compassion, kindness, and love).
Becoming like Christ is not an individual effort but requires community - we need the church and other believers.
The new self is renewed through knowledge of Christ, which emphasizes the importance of studying and understanding God's Word.
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the incredible truth that our lives are hidden with you in God. We are grateful that you have already made us new through baptism, even as we struggle with our old nature. Help us to put to death what is earthly in us and to put on compassion, kindness, humility, and above all, love. Guide us as we walk together as your body, teaching and encouraging one another. May your Word dwell richly in us this week as we seek to become more like you. We look forward to that day when we will appear with you in glory, fully transformed into your likeness. In your name we pray, Amen.