Because our lives and identities as Christians are now wrapped up in our relationship with Christ (Colossians 3:3), we must set our minds on spiritual matters and let our attitudes be determined by things above. Our greatest affections and priorities should center on things that will last forever, and our greatest efforts should be to store up “treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20). We must value, judge, and consider everything from an eternal and heavenly perspective. Our goals and pursuits should be to seek spiritual things (Colossians 3:1-4), resist sin (Colossians 3:5-11) and develop Christ’s character (Colossians 3:12-17). In our pursuit of eternal goals, Christ has made available to us the resources of heaven, which He will provide for those who earnestly ask, seek, and continue to knock (Luke 11:1-13; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 1:3; 4:7-8). If we remain true to Christ, we can be confident of our glory, honor, and reward with Him in heaven (Matthew 25:21; 2 Timothy 2:12).

​This describes self-centered people who allow their appetites and desires (not just physical ones) to come before anything else. Their minds are on worldly things. Such people resist and rebel against the law and are unrestrained morally. They are the opposite of legalists. While legalists represented one false extreme by saying that people had to keep certain rules in order to gain spiritual salvation (Philippians 3:2-3), libertines (those who are morally unrestrained) were at the other extreme in saying that Christians were free to do as they pleased as long as they relied on God’s grace. Both errors are spiritually fatal. 

​In order for the believer’s behavior to please and glorify God, it must be based on right beliefs and grounded in a right relationship with God (Titus 1:1-2). Our primary reason for doing good and living right should not be out of religious duty. It should be the response of our love and gratitude toward God. His undeserved love shown to us through Jesus Christ (Titus 1:14) while we were still opposed to Him (Romans 5:6-10) should be our motivation for serving God and saying “no” to anything that might compromise His standards or take away from our devotion to Him. The same grace that saves us - apart from any efforts, achievements, or religious acts on our part (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9) – also teaches us that our spiritual salvation should produce godly discipline and good works (Titus 1:14; Ephesians 2:10). 

Those who claim to be Christians must never justify disobeying God’s standards with excuses that they are simply human and imperfect, or that no one can go without sinning in words, thoughts, and actions (Romans 6:1). At the same time, Paul assures the Corinthians that no true follower of Christ needs ever run the risk of compromising their relationship with Him.

1. It is not a sin to be tempted. Jesus Himself was tempted (Matthew 4:1-11). But giving in to temptation is sin. In fact, the mistake is often made when a person openly chooses to put himself or herself in any situation where temptation is clearly present or will surely come. When the choice toward temptation is made, the fall is certain.
2. The Holy Spirit clearly affirms that God provides His children with the needed strength and opportunity to overcome every temptation they face. God gives the desire and power to resist sin (Revelation 2:7. 17, 26). God’s faithfulness expresses itself in two ways:
   1. He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle and resist with His help and
   2. For each temptation, He will provide a specific way for us to endure the temptation and overcome sin (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
3. Followers of Christ have all the power and ability they need to fight and win personal battles against sin and spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:10-18; Hebrews 7:25). This power is available through God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-14), the blood of Jesus Christ (His personal sacrifice for our sin, Ephesians 2:13; 1 Peter 2:24), God’s Word (Ephesians 6:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17), the Holy Spirit’s power dwelling within the Christian (Titus 3:5-6; 1 Peter 1:5 and Christ’s intercession (pleading our case) in heaven.
4. If Christians give in to temptation and sin, it is not because Christ’s power and provision are inadequate; it is because they fail to rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to help them resist their own ungodly desires (Romans 8:13-14; Galatians 5:16, 24; James 1:13-15). God’s “divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3); and through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we can “live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, … being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience” (Colossians 1:10-11; Matthew 4:1, on how to conquer temptation). We can overcome every temptation and find a way out if we sincerely desire to please God and if we depend on His power and faithfulness.

​As a final word, Solomon reminds us of a serious and timeless truth: we are fully accountable to God for our actions. God will evaluate each of us – believer and unbeliever – and will judge us according to our motives and conduct, whether good or evil (Romans 14:10, 12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12-13). If we have accepted His forgiveness, entrusted our lives to Christ and maintained a right relationship with God, then He will not punish us for our sins in the end. However, if we have rejected God’s mercy, we will be condemned on judgment day.

​This is a prophecy about the birth of the Messiah – the “Anointed One,” the Savior – Jesus Christ (Isaiah 7:14). His birth would happen at a definite time and place in history and in a unique and marvelous way. Isaiah records four names that would characterize the Messiah.

1. Wonderful Counselor. The Messiah would be a supernatural wonder (the Hebrew word pele’ is only used to describe God, never humans or human work; Isaiah 28:29). He would show this part of His character through powerful works and miracles. This Wonderful Counselor would possess perfect wisdom. His words and message would reveal God’s plan of salvation (Isaiah 11), leading people into a right relationship with God and giving them eternal life.
2. Mighty God. In the Person of Jesus Christ all the fullness of God – His nature and character – would exist in bodily form (Colossians 2:9; John 1:1, 14). In other words, Jesus Christ would be fully God and fully man.
3. Everlasting Father. The Messiah not only would show the way to the heavenly Father, but He Himself would be a perfect reflection of the Father – loving, protecting, and supplying the needs of His children (Psalms 103:13).
4. Prince of Peace. His coming to earth would bring people to a place of peace with God by setting them free from sin and spiritual death (Isaiah 6:9; Romans 5:1; 8:2).

​Concerning the true nature and purpose of Christ’s kingdom, three points should be noted.

1. What Jesus’ kingdom is not: It is “not of this world.” It did not originate in this world, and its purpose is not to take over the world’s system. Jesus did not come to establish a political theocracy (a government ruled by a religious body or particular view of God) or aim for world control. Jesus states that if He had come to establish a political kingdom on earth, then “my servants would fight.” Since this is not the nature of His kingdom, they do not resort to military war or revolution to promote Christ’s purpose on earth (Matthew 26:51-52). They do not align themselves with political parties, social pressure groups or any secular organizations in order to establish God’s kingdom and purposes on earth. They refuse to use the power gained through Jesus’ victory on the cross (the message of Christ) as a proud attempt to rule society. Rather than using worldly weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4), Jesus’ followers are armed only with spiritual weapons (Ephesians 6:10-18). This does not mean, however, that Christians should avoid participating in government or social action. They are still responsible to uphold God’s demand for justice, peace, and restraints against lawlessness. By their gracious words and blameless and honorable lifestyles, Christians should challenge governments and societies regarding their moral responsibilities to God.
2. What Jesus’ kingdom is: Christ’s kingdom – or the kingdom of God- involves His power, authority, purposes, and spiritual activity in the lives of all who receive Him and obey His Word (John 18:37). The kingdom of God is a matter of “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17 notice that these are all inner spiritual qualities that affect outward attitudes and actions). Christ’s kingdom is in active battle against the spiritual forces of Satan, using spiritual weapons (Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 6:12). The role of the church (the community of all true followers of Christ, worldwide and in local congregations) is that of a servant to Jesus Christ, not that of a ruler over this present world. The church’s strength is not in worldly power but in the cross – the sacrifice and salvation of Jesus Christ. When God’s people suffer rejection and persecution at the hands of the world, it is really and honor because they are identifying with Christ (2 Corinthians 3:7-18). Only by rejecting worldly poser did the New Testament church find God’s power. Christ’s followers today face this same choice in their individual lives; only by losing their lives in the world (putting aside all selfish interests and concerns and surrendering completely to God) will they find their highest purpose in God.
3. What Jesus’ kingdom will be: In the future, Christ’s kingdom will involve His rule and reign in the heaven and earth. This will occur after He returns to earth following the tribulation period to judge the nations, destroy the antichrist and reign on earth for a thousand years. He will then bring Satan to a final end in the lake of fire (Revelation19:11-20:15).