The forgiveness of Christ, the peace of Christ and the word of Christ combine to enlarge our gratitude and increase our praise to God the Father!
How does this text enlarge your hope in the supremacy of Christ? Write down your thoughts and express thanks to Him. Share your thoughts with someone else. “Holy Spirit Please, open my eyes to see wonderful things in this text.” Amen.
“I’m impressed . . .;”
“This is incredible! . . .;”
“This is absolutely amazing!. . .;”
Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. [Pause]
I’m impressed ______
______
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let 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. 17 And 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. [Pause]
I’m impressed ______
______
The forgiveness of Christ, the peace of Christ and the word of Christ combine to enlarge our gratitude and increase our praise to God the Father!
How does this text enlarge your hope in the supremacy of Christ? Write down your thoughts and express thanks to Him. Share your thoughts with someone else. “Holy Spirit Please, open my eyes to see wonderful things in this text.” Amen.
“I’m impressed . . .;”
“This is incredible! . . .;”
“This is absolutely amazing!. . .;”
Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. [Pause]
I’m impressed ______
______
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let 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. 17 And 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. [Pause]
I’m impressed ______
______
Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. [Pause]
3:12 I’m impressed that I have been chosen by God, that He makes me holy. This is the same One who chooses me and loves me dearly. He sets me apart with His love. He has a purpose in mind when He sets me apart with His love. It seems implied that the obedience called for is motivated by, finds its propellant in, the love of God that chooses me and sets me apart. Therefore, having bee so deeply loved, I can then clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. All of these things are being received by me from God through His Son Jesus Christ. I am only returning what I have been given.
3:13 I’m impressed that it is emphatically stated when Paul adds forbearance and forgiveness to the mix. I must forgive as the Lord has forgiven me. Jesus not only sets the example, but I am the recipient of His exemplary action of forgiveness and I am empowered by it.
3:14 I’m encouraged that what I am to put on are the very things I have received from Christ Jesus, summed up in the word love. Love is the binding agent of all the virtues I have received from Christ. So I am only being asked to do unto others what I have already had done to me.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let 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. 17 And 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. [Pause]
3:15 Implied here is that I have the peace of Christ. I merely need to let it rule in my life. The purpose of letting the peace of Christ rule in my life is that I am a member of one body that has been called to peace. I’m encouraged that I don’t have to generate this peace. It is Christ’s peace that I am to let rule my life. I am not being asked to manufacture this peace but to receive it and let it rule in my heart. This is good! This is a great reason to be thankful.
3:16 I am again encouraged how Paul leads with the word “let” in his next instruction. Again, there is nothing to manufacture here. It is taking what already exists and let it do its work in my mind and heart and life. The word of Christ exists and has been given to me. My task is to let it dwell in me in the richness that belongs to it. It’s like God has placed a bowl of the best ice cream on the table before me and given me the task of eating it and enjoying it and providing me with a case load more of it to hand out to others. This is not a burden – if I have tasted of its goodness and delight. This is a joy. My assignment is simply an act of gratitude. Thus, I will obey this instruction, not under compulsion but with gratitude. I will teach and admonish others with all wisdom and sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in my heart to God. I’m impressed!
3:17 If I am bathing in the reality of who Christ is and how He has chosen me, set me apart for His purposes and loves me dearly, it makes perfect sense that everything I do in word or deed would be done with thanksgiving to God the Father in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has truly become the focus of my attention, affections, attitudes, and actions. This is absolutely amazing! What a difference Christ makes in my life!