The words of a traditional spiritual show the joy of our salvation: “I’m born of God, I know I am, My soul’s been anchored in the Lord, I’m purchased by the dying Lamb, My soul’s been anchored in the Lord, O Lord! Going to shout and pray and never stop, My soul’s been anchored in the Lord; Until I reach the mountain top, My soul’s been anchored in the Lord, O Lord!”

We have been raised from death to life, made alive with Christ (vv. 1–4)! Our life is hidden in Him, meaning not only that it comes from Him but also that it’s safe with Him. As a result, our hearts—our affections and desires—should be set on things above. Our minds—our thoughts and choices—in the same way should be focused on eternal priorities.

In the life we now live, we should be putting to death sins, including immorality, greed, and idolatry, as well as sins of the tongue such as anger, slander, and lies (vv. 5–11). Such behaviors are who we were, not who we are. In Christ we have put on a “new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

We are to clothe ourselves with virtues including compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love (vv. 12–14). We are also to forgive as Christ forgave us, freely and without limits (Matt. 18:21–22). These are not qualities we can develop or put into practice on our own. They can only be done through our life in Christ.

To clothe ourselves in this way is to live out our transformed identity as believers “raised with Christ.” Just as clothing can imply social status, the metaphor of clothing here reflects our spiritual status, the reality of our life in Him.