A Healthy Heart
Colossians 3:15-17
Primary Purpose: To discuss the attitudes of our heart and how we should develop it.
Paul tells us that when we put on the new man in Christ that it should demonstrate itself in several ways. It should show itself it the attitudes and in the behavior I show to others. Paul lists several here and tells us why they should develop that way.
1. Ruled by peace- v.15 the world searches for peace, but find none. Because I know Christ and He is preeminent in my life this should result in peace. I should know that whatever happens to me that God is still in control and that He still loves me. This kind of peace carries with it two ideas: one is of a pact or treaty. The other is of a attitude of rest or security. John 14:27; Eph 2:14. In Christ I have both.
Some believers don’t allow themselves a chance to experience this peace. They have their eyes on the world and are chasing after the things of this world. It reminds me of Tattoo the bassett hound.
A Tahoma, Washington newspaper carried the story of Tattoo the bassett hound. Tattoo didn’t intend to go for a run, but when his owner shut the dog’s leash in the car door and took off with Tattoo still outside the vehicle-he had no choice. Motorcycle officer Terry Filbert noticed a passing vehicle with something dragging behind it. He commented that the poor bassett hound was “picking them up and putting them down as fast as he could.” He was rescued, but not before reaching a top speed of 25 miles per hour, falling down and rolling several times.
Too many of us live our lives like Tattoo, going at a frantic pace, picking them up and putting them down as fast as we can. Peace can’t be found in activity, but in relationship, a relationship with Christ.
2. Thankful in all things- v.15 Paul believed this so strongly he declared to the Thessalonicans in 1 Thess 5:18 that they should give thanks in all circumstances. Gratitude should mark our lives. So many Christians today are like the fellow I heard about named Horner.
Once there was a man named Horner.
Who use to live on Grumble Corner.
Grumble Corner in Cross Patch Town,
And he never was seen without a frown.
He grumbled at this, he grumbled at that.
He growled at the dog, he growled at the cat.
He grumbled at morning, he grumbled at night,
And to grumble and growl was his chief delight.
Too many times we don’t stop and remember what God has done for us. Remember that Paul is writing this letter while sitting in a dark prison cell in Rome possibly waiting to be executed. Some of us resemble the man in this story.
The story is told of 2 old friends who bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, my old friend?” The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, my uncle died and left me $40,000.
That’s a pot of money.
But, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me $85,000 free and clear.
Sounds like you’ve been blessed.
“You don’t understand. He interrupted. Last week my great aunt passed away and I inherited a quarter and a million.
Now he was really confused. Then why do you look so glum.
“This week. . ..nothing.”
3. Developed through the Word of God. V.16 I am to let it dwell in my heart richly. To dwell in means to be at home in, to be given run of the house. I am to let the Word of God dwell in me so that I can do nothing without considering what the Word of God says about me, my situation, my decisions, my values, my attitudes. Everything is to sift through the Word. I can spend a lifetime in it and never see the depth of it. Someone once said that.
“Like a Beethovan concerto, the word of God is simple enough to be enjoyed by a child, and at the same time, deep enough to reward a lifetime of dedicated study. A three year old can grasp the story of Jonah and the whale, and a Ph.D. in theology can spend a lifetime trying to fathom how God can become a man. The Bible rewards even a few minutes a day of reading. But it has an inexhaustible supply of treasures for those who are more diligent.
What about you? How diligent are you to let the word of God dwell in you richly.
One other attitude I need to have.
4. Shows itself in diligent work in the name of the Lord. V.17 We are bondservants of Him. His representatives. We serve Him first. Paul says the same thing in Colossians 3:23-24. Can you say that whatever your doing your doing in the Lord’s name?
