Vice Or Virtue (Part 2) Series

Vice or Virtue (Part 2)

Colossians 3:12-17

12Therefore, as God¡¦s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

II Virtues of the New Life to be Cultivated (12-17)

Verse: 12Therefore, as God¡¦s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

A Virtues of Grace and Love (Clothed)

Verse: 12Therefore, as God¡¦s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Word: clothe (enduo) to put on clothes.

Idea: To put on clothes which represent a changed life in Christ.

1 Compassion

Word: compassion (oiktirmos) a benevolent attitude that cares for others because of a loving graciousness. To be tenderhearted and merciful.

2 Kindness

Word: kindness (chrēstotēta) an expressed attitude and activity that is friendly and helpful, always seeking to meet the needs of others through acts of mercy and grace.

3 Humility

Word: humility (tapeinophrosune) lowliness of thinking; To think of oneself accurately in the light of the holiness and righteousness of God that one might possess a proper assessment of self.

Verse: Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you. Rm. 12:3

4 Gentleness

Word: gentleness (prautes) meekness; power under contrl.

Idea: Of a horse that has been broken ¡V possessing a perfect balance of power and control.

5 Patience

Word: patience (makrothumia) longsuffering;

Note: It is the long holding out of the mind before it gives room to an action or reaction bearing injustice and unpleasant circumstances w/out seeking revenge or retaliation. Patience always seeks a better way.

6 Bear with each other

Word: bear with (nechomenoi allēlōn) to endure; to hold out in spite of persecution, threat, indifference, or complaint w/out retaliation. To refrain from inflicting injury though just in your cause.

7 Forgive

Word: forgiving (charizomenoi) to be gracious;

8 Love

Word: love (agape) unconditional Christ-like charity

B Virtues of Peace and Harmony (Enthroned)

Verse: 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

1 Peace

Word: peace (eirene) Includes the concept of an agreement, pact, or treaty with an attitude of rest and security.

Word: rule (barbeuo) an athletic term used of an umpire making a decision on the outcome of a contest.

Idea: The peace of God should be the determining judge of a decision to be made. A believer should ask does it promote peace and unity between God and man, between man and man, and between man and the body of Christ. Secondly, do I have a deep and abiding peace in my heart that God is in this decision.

2 Thankfulness

Word: thankful (eucharistoi ginesthe) a natural and continual response of gratitude and appreciation.

Note: Indicates the obligation of being thankful to someone for a favor done. We ought to be grateful beyond reason b/c Christ died for our sins and b/c we have ben redeemed. And this thankful spirit should be noticeable in our lives to everyone we meet.