Walk Together In Christ
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In the first part of Colossians chapter three, Paul tells us that since we have been crucified with Christ and raised with Christ - we ought to have our minds set on the things of Christ!
We are not to live in our old ways any longer. Listen to Paul in
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
We were all separated from God by our sin and we were living in sin. That is - we were living to fulfill the desires of our hearts. That does not mean that we were all drunkards, or extortioners, we did not all participate in the same sin, but we were all in our sin.
Paul tells us in that we should no longer live that way - we are to put off those things.
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
Colossians
The imagery is that of taking off a set of clothes. We take off the old man. and
and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
So Paul’s word to Christians is to stop acting like we once did apart from Christ satisfying our own selves and put on the new man - who is becoming more and more like Jesus each day - becoming the Son or Daughter of God that is always better reflecting His character.
We are to be in a process of change - changing from who we once were to who God has created us to become!
The U.S. standard railroad gauge (distance between rails) is four feet, eight-and-one-half inches.
Why such an odd number? Because that's the way they built them in England, and American railroads were built by British expatriates.
Why did the English adopt that particular gauge? Because the people who built the pre-railroad tramways used that gauge.
They in turn were locked into that gauge because the people who built tramways used the same standards and tools they had used for building wagons, which were set on a gauge of four feet, eight-and-one-half inches.
"Why were wagons built to that scale? Because with any other size, the wheels did not match the old wheel ruts on the roads.
"So who built these old rutted roads?
"The first long-distance highways in Europe were built by Imperial Rome for the benefit of their legions. The roads have been in use ever since. The ruts were first made by Roman war chariots. Four feet, eight-and-one-half inches was the width a chariot needed to be to accommodate the rear ends of two war horses."
Maybe "that's the way it's always been" isn't the great excuse some people believe it to be.
Clark Cothern Tecumseh, Michigan.
Walk Together In Christ
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
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.
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:
Colossians 3:12-17
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
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.
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
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Paul begins our passage this morning in with Therefore
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
Because of what God has done for us and who we are today
Therefore - in light of all that Christ has done for us. In light of us being crucified with Jesus and risen with Jesus - As the elect of God - holy and beloved!
We must remember that God chose us and in Jesus we are holy - we are set apart for His purposes.
We are to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility meekness, longsuffering.
Put On:
Tender Mercies
Kindness
Humility
Meekness
Longsuffering
Paul begins with personal attributes that we need especially in relationship with one another. Without these things it is impossible to live in harmony with one another. We have been called into community with one another and we are to begin to live that way now.
Johns 13:35
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Now here is a key - the focus is on the individual receiving action - not on the one causing action. So Paul focuses us on the one who should be longsuffering - patient - not the one who is causing the issue. He talks about us being humble - not about the one who is prideful in the situation.
The place for us to begin to walk in harmony with one another is with ourselves not others!
Kindness
Humil
Then Paul goes on to verse 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.
We need to bear with one another and forgive one another.
That is to endure one another - this puts the characteristics in verse twelve in action. We are to put on those things so that we are able to endure being with each other.
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
When we love someone, we don’t broadcast their faults. We don’t look for opportunities to bring them down in the eyes of others. We look to build them up and we care for them. We choose to overlook some of their more annoying habits.
It may surprise you to know that in the church of Colasae, there were those who were being offended by the actions of others. Paul calls us to live differently - and puts the focus on us - the ones who could be offended.
1. Burping out loud.
1. Burping and farting out loud.
2. Not listening or “tuning out’ during conversations.
3. Not communicating important details.
4. Checking out other women.
5. Being “obsessed” with video games and/or sports.
We care for one another even when we stumble, when we act differently than what we expected or hoped for.
Women’s most annoying habits (according to men):
1. Saying “nothing is wrong” when something is wrong.
2. Overspending.
3. Bringing up “old dirt” as ammunition in arguments.
4. Giving (or asking for) too many “unnecessary” details in conversations.
5. Being “obsessed” with social media (Pinterest, etc.).
“Real love is when you are completely committed to someone even when they are being completely unlovable.” - Dave Willis
“Real love is when you are completely committed to someone even when they are being completely unlovable.” - Dave Willis
Paul also tells us that we must be forgiving of one another.
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.
Just as we have received forgiveness from Jesus we are to forgive those around us. Sometimes we say we have forgiven, but then we carry a grudge. We really have some conditions that we expect them to meet if they are to really be in the clear. That is not the forgiveness that Jesus expressed to us nor is it the forgiveness that we are to express to one another.
We don’t wait for an apology - we don’t carry a grudge, we don’t wait for someone else to make it right.
Some may say - that is not fair! and your right. It is grace! We who have experienced grace freely offer grace to others. It is when you have a false view of grace - i have to earn God’s favor - that is when we religiously impose that view on others. That is when we make our love conditional. When we pick and choose who we care for.
But we have been changed by the love of Christ and as men and women touched by God we are to live like Him!
Paul declares in verse 14
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
Love - true love binds us together. When we have an issue with someone, we have a love problem. We may be concerned over who is right and who is wrong - let God take care of that and let us follow His Word to us! Let us love one another
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
We can not just say we love one another - we must live it. Remember the emphasis Paul has here is us - not the one who may offend us.
And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
Look at verse 15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let the peace of God . . .
Let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Peace is what we experience when we are committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It does not depend on the conditions in or around us. Our peace is found in knowing the One who is above anything that we may experience and knowing that He loves us and will never leave us nor forsake us.
Because of this, we don’t have to worry about getting even with someone. We don’t have to defend our actions or make someone act the way we desire. We pray and we allow God to continue to change us and He is in charge of what takes place with them.
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”
Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
In verse 16 we read
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Let the word of Christ . . .
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
We must allow the words of Christ be our rule for living. What Jesus has told us determines our actions, motivations and decisions. Is what we are doing in accordance to what Jesus has taught? If not - we are wrong.
So we remind one another, teaching, admonishing(encouraging with a push) singing songs that remind us what Christ teaches.
Then look at verse 17
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
All we do is for Him!
Whatever - all we say and all that we do - we are to do it in the name of Jesus giving thanks to God.
It is not done for ourselves, but on His behalf.
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
We work for Jesus. We live for Him. All that we say and do should be done in His name - as His representatives. That is everything we do in the world, at our workplace, in our school, at the store, in the restaurant, driving down the road, and yes, even in Church.
In verse 15 we are told to be thankful, in verse 17 we are told to give thanks. - The life we live is a life of gratitude to God for what He has done for us. This helps us keep our day to day living in the right context. We have been moved from the kingdom of this world to the Kingdom of Christ. From a place of having no hope to having assurance of our future. From living without purpose to being a part of God’s work in our world today.
Would you pray with me?