Scripture:
Colossians 3:12-17 ESV
[12] Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, [13] 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. [14] And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. [15] And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. [16] 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. [17] And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Observation:
I would like to make it sound like I know what I’m talking about here. However, if I’m honest, I know a lot less than I think I do. But let’s give this a shot. The phrase seems to imply that there is a choice that has to be made. Something that is not necessarily natural and may take effort. It also refers to us as GOD’S chosen. Letting us know that we have been set apart, made different, not the same as. But what is it that we are to choose to do, and why? Well, the scripture says we are to be kind, patient people, meek, and humble, forgiving those who have wronged us. Just like Jesus has forgiven us, we are to forgive others. In Matthew chapter 6:14-15, we are told that we are to give to others in the same manner that we have been forgiven. It seems that our companion is what separates us from the rest of the world. Verse 13 is just knocking on my brain this morning. If we have a complaint against someone, we must forgive as the LORD has forgiven us. This verse says nothing about whether or not they deserve it. It just says to do it. When we come to Verse 14, we find that phrase again… put on… only this time, it refers to love. This is again a choice. It’s not something that comes naturally. We have to choose to do it… this means it won’t be easy at times. This one characteristic is what separates us and binds everything else together. Love allows peace to rule in our hearts and shows others that HE is our LORD and SAVIOR. So, looking at this scripture as a whole, what I see is that when Christ dwells in us richly, we will forgive others and love them having peace that passes all understanding. Going throughout our day, singing hymns and songs, and being a blessing to others. Everything we do will reflect the fact that HE is the LORD of our lives.
Application:
Although I know my observation dove into the application, I believe there is always more. Over the years of being a christ follower, my heart has steadily been changed. I have realized that holding on to bitterness and discontent hurts no one but me. Keeping me separated from the one thing I need… forgiveness… it has not been an easy road to letting go of all those who have wronged me. But as I think about it, well, I need to be forgiven as well. I was recently in a courtroom with someone who clearly had issues with forgiveness. This person was very bitter, and it showed. To be honest, I wanted to be bitter back to this person after they had made comments about things they knew nothing about. But what would that help? It not only would have made things worse but showed that those who were being attacked by this individual were no different. Bitterness and discontent only lead to anger and hostility, and that is how the world reacts. The Bible tells me to pray for my enemy… I know that’s not the first thing that comes to mind, but it’s what the word says, and when it dwells in us richly, we need to consider being doers of the word and not hearers only. Making a choice to love and forgive when we don’t really want to will release us from a life of bitterness that will hinder our prayers. I don’t know about you, but I honestly want my prayers answered. That’s why I pray them. If bitterness keeps that from happening… well, it’s got to go. I want my life to reflect Jesus, and if it doesn’t, it’s not HIM that needs to change. As I focus on what needs to change in me. What needs to change in you becomes not my problem. I have enough work to do on me. The way we love is what separates us from the world. Anyone can be bitter, but not everyone will choose to love. One more thing, and then I will close in prayer. While we were still enemies of GOD, still sinners still caught in our transgression, christ gave HIS life for us. We did not deserve it. Yet HE chose to do it. My challenge to you today… forgive them for they know not what they do… love them into the kingdom… that how HE did it. Wanting them to be different is not changing you, and you are the only one you can do anything about.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for setting us free. You chose to love us when we didn’t deserve it. You forgave us even when we were driving nails into your hands and feet. Now, the very thing we nailed to the cross… you have called us to be… your hands an extension of your love and your feet telling us to take the good news into all the world. We ask you today to take away any bitterness and replace it with the love that you showed us. We know that all things work together for good all those things in our lives that we have held on to and held us captive to the sin of bitterness have a purpose and that is to teach us how to love like you love. To forgive like you have forgiven. This life is not about us it’s all yours bought with your blood. That dripped from a nasty old cross where redemption was made available to all who have sinned. Place forgiveness in our hearts. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.