Let’s Pray
Today we continue with our study of the book of Colossians. Paul wrote this letter and three others (Ephesians, Philippians and Philemon) while in prison awaiting trial. Paul is the consummate leader. He is always trying to spread the gospel even while battling outside forces. In Paul’s writing of this scripture to the Colossians and the Lacodians, he is battling real threats to the new churches in these areas. He has trouble with Judaizers, legalist, mystics and Gnostics. All of which are claiming to know more than Paul about the faith. By sending this letter, Paul is hoping to put an end to the debate within these ministry outposts. Paul began this letter by sharing his prayer for them. He went on to clarify the centrality of Jesus to the faith while helping them to see faith is not about rules but relationship. This week we continue with the practical application of the faith. Paul starts out in Chapter three by getting to heart of the application. Paul is really challenging us with moral “measuring stick” to decide which practices are acceptable if Christ is really at the center of your heart. Then, he follows it up with what is expected for a Christ follower. This is where the focus of our scripture will be today. What does it mean to be a Christ follower?
Let me read the scripture. Col 3:12-17 (NRSV)
So what do you think of Paul’s expectations of the new Christians? Do you think his expectations of us would be any different? How about you? Are our expectations of others different? Does it matter if we know the person is a Christian or not?
Personally, I think this is one of those bridges we all must cross when we move from a new Christian to a mature Christian. The average new Christian comes back into church expecting everyone to be perfect or at least trying to act like Jesus. What everyone soon realizes is that church is filled with real people and why they are people trying to get better. The reality is the best we will ever be is human. We can be more spiritual and moral but we will never be perfect. People do and will fail us. They will make promises and let us down. As the paid good guy around here, everyone in the congregation has expectations of my role and how my time should be spent. From the kids to the denomination, everyone has an idea of what the pastor is supposed to do. Should I spend my time as: the spiritual leader of the church, the youth leader, the chaplain, the plumber, building inspector, home care nurse or should I be the cheerleader for everyone else. After all, 1 Peter 2:9 tells us we are all part of the royal priesthood. As verse 12 of today’s scripture says, we are God’s chosen people and we are instructed above all else to be loving. It is the key component. Remember, Jesus’ two great commandments were to: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. It is through living in love with everyone we get a chance to develop/ clothe ourselves in Christian values. Those values are: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance and forgiveness.
Let’s clarify the list a bit:
Compassion (tender mercies) – The Greek actually means “from the bowels of compassion.” The Greeks believed our feelings came from deep within us. As such, compassion is a deep unconditional emotional response to those in need. Every time a person sees the picture of starving child, compassion comes to the service.
Kindness – This is an action in a place where we have a choice. A good biblical example would be King David’s response of the crippled prince Me/phib/o/sheth (2 Sam 9 – Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson).
Humility – Humility is not thinking less of yourself but of yourself less. It is the understanding that other s should come first (reminds me of a story of a boy, a brilliant computer geek & a minister)
Gentleness (meekness) – This is understood as power under control. It is the person who has a larger more disciplined understanding of the situation at hand. (football linemen get low for balance)
Patience (Long Suffering) – The Greek actually means “Long Tempered” – It is okay to get angry but it is not okay to get angry quickly or for the wrong reasons. (Have your read the sign out front, it says…..)
Bearing with each other (Forbearance) – Holding back judgment of another. (I have a good friend of mine who nobody understands. He’s a bit quirky. However, my friend and I stay close talking every so often about life and jobs. He can be a bit of “Know it all” and He’s a Christian and he’s my friend. I continue to stand by him, speak with him regularly and try to help him whenever I can because we chose to do life together.)
Forgiveness – Forgiving another opens the heart to the fullness of God’s love. As we forgive, so are we forgiven the Lord ’s Prayer says. In our Wednesday night gathering, My wife Diane said that the concept of forgiving another without having to tell them was a revelation in her spiritual walk. Forgiveness is kind of like the robe for bell tower. I can pull on the robe with resentment and a you’ve done me wrong song or I can let go of the rope and while it’ll still ring a time or two more it won’t reverberate some much in everyone I meet. Forgiveness is “is the act of letting go of the rope.”
Have you ever come into contact with someone demonstrating some or all of these virtues? Have you ever watched them proceed through their mundane daily lives? It is actually pretty encouraging. Maybe you remember a few months ago when our friend, Steve the Garbage man, came to give a witness for us. He shared what it’s like to be a garbage man who strives to live the life of Christ. He told us of being confronted by rude people and hideous job conditions but he loved his job because of the chance he had to witness at work.
The scriptures provide for us a wonderful promise of what happens to a Christian who chooses (V.12) put on or clothe with these virtues because it is not natural to do so. However, as we incorporate these virtues into our Christian lives, or let “Christ rule”, a peace takes over us. It is in this peace we begin to be fully grateful, knowing what God did for us. Have you ever met someone with the light of Christ in their eye?
I met a man who would become my mentor for a number of years until his death. He had the light in his eyes. I just wanted to be around him. I met a missionary with the light in her eye and it made me feel as if I was in the presence of the Holy one. I even met a homeless man who could quote scripture and taught me the meaning of peace in midst of cold winters in Chicago. In each case there has been a common denominator. They live out the final passage of today’s scripture, “And whatever you do, whether in word or dead, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through Him.”
So on this day when freedom rings, I hope we come to a better understanding of the freedom given to each of us by the living, dying and rising of Jesus and the promise that comes from living a the life we were chosen to live.
Let’s pray!
