Christ redeemed us at the cross, reconciled us to God, so we can be blameless.

Col 1:1 Paul, .. and Timothy, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: ..13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 ..the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all Creation, [1 Cor 15:27-28] 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-- 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, [Heb 11:6]

We received Christ, were buried with Him in baptism, and were raised with Him through faith.

2:6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, … 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
 Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [Eph 4:22-24] 1 Peter 3:21: “baptism (not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God”)

Therefore we can (and should) reckon ourselves dead to sin but alive to God.

Romans 6 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin 7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 11 … reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God .. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

We should set our minds on things of eternal value, foregoing temporal pleasures, for future glory

Col 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.3. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 

Our future glory/reward/inheritance depends on our works and daily denial. We have our cross to bear.

A Luke 9:18 .. "Who do the crowds say that I am?" 19 "John the Baptist, Elijah; ..one of the old prophets."20 .."But who do you say that I am?" Peter said, "The Christ of God." 21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one,
 B 22 saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, …, and be killed, and be raised the third day."
 C 23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 
 C’ 26 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. Matt 16:27 "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
 B’ 27 "But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God."
 A’ 28 He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain…35, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Mk 8, Mt 16)

Conclusion: stop sinning, do good. When the going gets tough, the tough focus on the rewards.

Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. 12 Therefore, as the elect [Psalm 78:31] of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. …23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. See also: Luke 19:16-19, Gal 6:7, Rom 8:17.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

 
1. What does it mean to be dead to sin? How does this play out in our daily lives?
 
2. What is baptism and what is it not? How do many churches view baptism? Does baptism save us?
 
3. Is it wrong to believe in eternal rewards? Is it wrong to be motivated by them? Why or why not?
 
4. In what ways should we pick up our cross? Should we seek to suffer for God? Deny ourselves daily in everything?
 
5. What can you do this week to ensure you seek more the things above and less the things on the earth?