Growing in Christ - Put on forgiveness

Over the last few weeks we have been looking at the list of virtues that Paul instructs his readers to put on in 3:12.

We have taken our example of these from the only one who could model each one perfectly, Jesus.

We saw Jesus heart of compassion, His kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Jesus is the example we are to look to in each of these.

They are also set in contrast to the things that Paul instructs us to put off, to rid ourselves from.

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Colossians 3:12-17

In the fable “The Emperor’s New Clothes, an unscrupulous con artist, seeking royal favor, promises to provide the emperor with an outfit of clothing that would be very special. So delicate and rare would be the fabric that the clothes would be undetectable to the touch. More importantly, they would be invisible to anyone of poor character or inferior ability. When the emperor received the empty hanger on which his new outfit was supposedly displayed, he could hardly admit not seeing the clothes without impugning his own suitability for royal office. So he admired the clothes (as did his advisors), put them on, and strutted proudly around his kingdom—stark naked!

We Christians can fall into the same trap. In the first part of Colossians 3, Paul said to “take off” practices such as fornication, lying, greed, and so forth. But the point is that we are to “put on” new practices to replace the old ones. Have we really donned those positive attitudes and actions of compassion, kindness, humility?

Sometimes the answer is “No.” Instead, we parade around showing off our new clothes of righteousness and refusing to admit the truth: that we are really naked. And we walk about, blinded to the fact that the world is snickering behind our backs because they don’t want our kind of clothes!

There is a purpose to all of this that I do not want us to miss.

We have looked at each of these traits individually which is not a bad thing, but now we have to tie them all back together.

There is a purpose to all of this that I do not want us to miss. It is good to look at each of these traits individually but now we have to tie them all back together.

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The list of virtues or graces we see here, especially in this combination appear to encourage a sort of weakness in people, calling them to be doormats for others, or at least for those caught up in the rat race always trying to get ahead.

But the truth is, the character required to live out each of these calls for a strength that is rarely seen.

Without this sort of attitude towards others, no group of individuals can become, and more importantly grow as a community.

Paul’s purpose in writing in not simply to make better people, to make nicer Christians.

Paul is instructing his readers to put these on that they might grow in Christ.

That they would grow in their relationships with one another.

That they would grow in their relationships with the Lord.

These traits are put on in order that we might bear with one another.

That we would forgive one another.

That we would see the forgiveness we have in Christ.

We must ask the question, are we forgiving one another?

Each of us must ask the question, am I forgiven?

To begin to answer these questions I want to direct us to the text.

Colossians 3:13 ESV

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.

We have seen from our time looking at each virtue that Christians are called to be more than simply good people.

Christians are not called to simply be good people.

There are many people who have many of the traits Paul lists. Looking at them on the outside we would consider them to be good people because of their actions.

We know from scripture though that actions do not make us good.

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It matters not how good you are, all are stained with the marks of sin.

With the progression of the verse, Paul is showing these

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: Colossians and Philemon 3. Putting on the Practices of the “New Self” (3:12–17)

but he more likely intends to present these actions as the natural outgrowth of the general attitude conveyed by all five virtues together. The two commands in the verse are, of course, related, but there is also a progression. The verb “bear with” (anechomai), as the translation suggests, indicates a somewhat grudging willingness to “put up with” difficult circumstances (e.g., persecutions—2 Cor. 4:12; 2 Thess. 1:4) or people (Jesus asks, referring to an “unbelieving and perverse generation,” “how long shall I put up with you?” [Matt. 17:17; par. Mark 9:19; Luke 9:41]). In the New Testament, it is only in the closely parallel Ephesians 4:2 that “bearing with each other” is presented, as here, so positively: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Therefore, while not requiring the greatest display of Christian kindness and patience, “bearing with one another” is nevertheless a first and necessary step in establishing community. The demand acknowledges that every Christian fellowship is made up of all kinds of people and that we will accordingly sometimes find ourselves in close fellowship with people who are very different than we are. For the sake of maintaining community, we will sometimes have to “put up with” people with whom we would not normally choose to associate.

Paul begins bearing with one another.

To bear with means

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. ἀνέχω

to regard w. tolerance, endure, bear with, put up with

It is a grudging willingness to put up with persons to rub us the wrong way.

This does not mean that we are simply cordial towards difficult neighbors in a detached way.

Paul is calling his readers to be vulnerable. To act in a way that achieves intimacy where hostility once existed.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Colossians & Philemon Be Holy (3:12–13)

put up with” persons who rub us the wrong way. This does not suggest that we are simply cordial towards difficult neighbors in a detached way; rather, Paul calls us to be vulnerable to grace in order to achieve newfound intimacy where hostility once existed.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Colossians & Philemon Be Holy (3:12–13)

put up with” persons who rub us the wrong way. This does not suggest that we are simply cordial towards difficult neighbors in a detached way; rather, Paul calls us to be vulnerable to grace in order to achieve newfound intimacy where hostility once existed. Indeed, the measure of divine grace is what Wesley called “social holiness.”

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Colossians & Philemon Be Holy (3:12–13)

To bear with each other means to “put up with” persons who rub us the wrong way. This does not suggest that we are simply cordial towards difficult neighbors in a detached way; rather, Paul calls us to be vulnerable to grace in order to achieve newfound intimacy where hostility once existed. Indeed, the measure of divine grace is what Wesley called “social holiness.”

The idea of bearing with one another is spending time with

Those who have grown up in a Methodist background may know this idea as “social holiness”.

New Dictionary of Theology: Historical and Systematic Social Responsibility

The pattern set by early Methodists in founding medical dispensaries, alms houses, schools, orphanages and other charities has continued through various movements of social responsibility

The term began with John Wesley and his desire for true Christian fellowship.

This is all in relation to the necessity for Christian fellowship.

The original context of his saying this was in relation to the necessity for Christian fellowship.

He was trying to counter the privatized notion of the Christian faith.

The list in 3:12 shows us the personal qualities that are required and now in 13 the focus shifts to how those are used.

Compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience must be the characteristics of congregational life.

Robert W. Wall, Colossians & Philemon, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), .

Actual relationships themselves are at the forefront.

This list is very contrary to the notion of a privatized Christian faith.

It is within Christian community that holiness of life is to be realized.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Colossians & Philemon Be Holy (3:12–13)

Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience are the very characteristics of the congregation’s life

Our modern tendency is towards individualism.

This stems from our culture and how it has shaped us.

When you picture the American dream what do you see?

A nice home, a well maintained yard, a white picket fence, me on my side and you on yours possibly exchanging a few words but not much.

Is this the type of community we see in scripture?

If we look to the example of the early church.

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:

Christians were spending time with one another, and not only on the Lords day.

God blessed the work they were doing adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

The early church spent time together, they bore with one another and it showed in their relationships.

Last week I spoke a little to how Jesus had patience with his disciples in regards to their bickering and hard hardheadedness.

Do you think this stopped because Jesus died and rose again?

I doubt it, I would guess they may have gotten worse.

They also had to bear with one another.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: Colossians and Philemon 3. Putting on the Practices of the “New Self” (3:12–17)

while not requiring the greatest display of Christian kindness and patience, “bearing with one another” is nevertheless a first and necessary step in establishing community. The demand acknowledges that every Christian fellowship is made up of all kinds of people and that we will accordingly sometimes find ourselves in close fellowship with people who are very different than we are. For the sake of maintaining community, we will sometimes have to “put up with” people with whom we would not normally choose to associate.

This is only the beginning though.

This is the first step of progression that Paul lays out for us in this verse.

Paul is calling us to not only grudgingly put up with one another.

but if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other.

We will all at some point put these qualities to the test in others when we act thoughtlessly or inconsiderately.

Which is where the next section of the verse comes in,

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: Colossians and Philemon 3. Putting on the Practices of the “New Self” (3:12–17)

but he more likely intends to present these actions as the natural outgrowth of the general attitude conveyed by all five virtues together. The two commands in the verse are, of course, related, but there is also a progression. The verb “bear with” (anechomai), as the translation suggests, indicates a somewhat grudging willingness to “put up with” difficult circumstances (e.g., persecutions—2 Cor. 4:12; 2 Thess. 1:4) or people (Jesus asks, referring to an “unbelieving and perverse generation,” “how long shall I put up with you?” [Matt. 17:17; par. Mark 9:19; Luke 9:41]). In the New Testament, it is only in the closely parallel Ephesians 4:2 that “bearing with each other” is presented, as here, so positively: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Therefore, while not requiring the greatest display of Christian kindness and patience, “bearing with one another” is nevertheless a first and necessary step in establishing community. The demand acknowledges that every Christian fellowship is made up of all kinds of people and that we will accordingly sometimes find ourselves in close fellowship with people who are very different than we are. For the sake of maintaining community, we will sometimes have to “put up with” people with whom we would not normally choose to associate.

This step is a bit more than a baby step. It is as though Paul is now asking us to get up and run, not slowly crawl forward.

The things that Paul is referring to here are also not only in trivial matters either.

Any sort of blame, any sort of reason that someone has cause for complaint, there is to be forgiveness available.

Maybe someone in the Colossian church spoke with another person in a tone that they didn’t care for.

Maybe someone felt that another person looked at them funny because they had something happening in their life.

Perhaps it was something that someone forgot to do, or did not complete as they had promised they would.

Perhaps it is the tone with which someone spoke.

Perhaps it was even the the leaders of the church.

Perhaps it is something that is convicting your heart but you don’t want to respond right now.

The word Paul is using here for forgiveness carries the ideas of

Perhaps a look that they gave.

Perhaps it is something that is convicting your heart but you don’t want to respond right now.

The word Paul is using here carries the ideas of

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. χαρίζομαι

① to give freely as a favor, give graciously

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. χαρίζομαι

to cancel a sum of money that is owed

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. χαρίζομαι

to show oneself gracious by forgiving wrongdoing, forgive, pardon

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: Colossians and Philemon 3. Putting on the Practices of the “New Self” (3:12–17)

conveys the idea that forgiving others is an act of grace, freely offered, often not “deserved.”

We like Paul must recognize and realize that in a Christian community there will be times when a person will have a cause for complaint of some sort against someone else within the fellowship.

We are sinful beings, it is inevitable.

Paul uses this same idea in Ephesians

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon General Guidelines and Practical Exhortations (3:5–17)

The implication of “forgiving each other” is that there will be not a few occasions when such forgiveness will be called for, that all members will be in the situation of having to forgive or needing forgiveness at some time or other, and that on many occasions there will be blame on both sides.

Only the mutual respect and support that comes from each individual putting off the old and putting on the new traits.

Only this sense of mutual vulnerability, the understanding that we value each other beyond the hurts and faults that we feel will build community. This is done through forgiveness.

We must do this. We must model this.

Especially for the wavering person or weaker believer who might see the lack of this in the church and find their old way of life to be more attractive.

It is sad at times when people can find more forgiveness at the local watering hole than in the church which is built upon grace and forgiveness.

The forgiveness that Paul is calling for believers to show is the kind of forgiveness shown by Jesus.

Think with me if you will to the parable of the unforgiving servant in .

Peter asks Jesus, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Jesus responds with

Matthew 18:22 ESV

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

And tells the parable.

The servant begs for forgiveness from the master who grants it, and forgives his debt.

That servant though turned around to a fellow servant and demanded payment and sent him to prison.

The master found out and did not respond kindly.

Matthew 18:32–34 ESV

32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.

Mt. 18:

Jesus finishes with

Matthew 18:35 ESV

35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon General Guidelines and Practical Exhortations (3:5–17)

The implication of “forgiving each other” is that there will be not a few occasions when such forgiveness will be called for, that all members will be in the situation of having to forgive or needing forgiveness at some time or other, and that on many occasions there will be blame on both sides.

We must take the time to forgive one another.

Harboring ill will and resentment toward others does no good.

Anyone can hold a grudge, but the mark of Christians is that we do not.

We must look past the hurt to the body of Christ as a whole and offer forgiveness.

The reason that we must do this is because we ourselves are forgiven.

Verse 13 wraps up, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Have you ever taken a moment, to really think on how great the forgiveness is that you require.

There is interdependence between our being forgiven, and our forgiving.

By placing our trust in Jesus, we have experienced the greatest forgiveness ever known.

This experience of having been forgiven ought to release the generous impulses to forgive others.

Paul uses this same idea in Ephesians

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon General Guidelines and Practical Exhortations (3:5–17)

The implication of “forgiving each other” is that there will be not a few occasions when such forgiveness will be called for, that all members will be in the situation of having to forgive or needing forgiveness at some time or other, and that on many occasions there will be blame on both sides.

The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon General Guidelines and Practical Exhortations (3:5–17)

A community has hope of holding together and growing together only when the need for forgiveness is recognized on each side where fault has been committed and only when forgiveness is both offered and received

So I must ask the question this morning, have you experienced that forgiveness?

Have you experienced the forgiveness that comes in giving your life to Christ?

For him to work in you?

If not, there is no greater time that the present. I would be more than happy to talk and pray with you as I know others would to.

If you already know this forgiveness, are you sharing it?

Or are you acting as the the unforgiving servant?

Do you have past hurts

Going forward as this church body, are there areas where we may need to take the initiative to forgive?

Are there people in our lives that we need to bear with?

We are called to put on compassionate hearts, kindness, meekness, and patience, not for our own sake, but for the sake of the community that we live in.

For the sake of our local church body.

For the sake of the body as a whole.

We must be conformed to Christ in every aspect of our lives, particularly in our willingness to forgive others.

We are called to do this that we might be a light for Christ to those around us that don’t know Him.

Let us take the time in the coming week and beyond to ponder how we can put these on traits and more importantly how we can put on the forgiveness that we have received in Christ.

Take some time in the coming days to really ponder how much it is that you have been forgiven.

Let us take that forgiveness and share it. Share what we have received because it is the most important gift we will ever share or receive.

We are sinful beings, it is inevitable.

What Paul is calling for here though is for believers to imitate Christ.

Paul uses this same idea in Ephesians

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Growing in Christ - Put on forgiveness

Intro

Bear with one another.

Bear with one another.

Forgiving one another.

Forgiven in Christ.

Put on forgiveness.