So often in
life we are instructed by the negatives—things that we should not do. God’s word always includes instruction from a
positive perspective that tells us what we should do. God never asks more from us than He asked
from His only son, the Lord Jesus, and proudly promotes Him as the One we
should seek to emulate.
Colossians 3:12-13 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels
of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing
one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any:
even as Christ forgave you, so also do
ye.
Since we have
put off the old man and his deeds of the flesh and have put on the new man
through faith in Christ, our lives should be characterized by the deeds that
are befitting our new position in Christ.
We are to make these deeds a part of our lives in recognition of the
truth that we have been chosen by God to as His beloved children to be holy.
- Bowels of mercies – This speaks of showing
pity and compassion—not as a show or pretense, but from a heart
motivation.
- Kindness – The Greek for this word speaks of
usefulness, excellence of character, and gentleness. In other words, it is acting toward
others with a servant spirit to make things better for them.
- Humbleness of mind – The Greek for this word
references modesty and humility, which Webster defines as “a sense of
one’s own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness.” You can’t be a true servant of God
without being humble.
- Meekness – The Greek defines this as
gentleness, meekness, and humility, which seems to overlap the previous
two character traits. Webster gives
a better understanding: “Mild of
temper; not easily provoked or irritated; patient under injuries; not
vain, or haughty, or resentful; forbearing; submissive.” I’ve often heard this trait described as
strength under control.
- Longsuffering – This is another word for
patience or a “long-enduring temper.”
Again, this seems to overlap the previous trait.
- Forbearing one another – The Greek for this
is to the point—“put up with, endure.”
I think the thing to remember is that because we are all unique
individuals; and just as we are to be “forbearing” with others, there are
probably times that others need to be “forbearing” with us as well.
- Forgiving one another – Last, but certainly
not least, Paul tells us that we should be forgiving of one another. This statement isn’t qualified with an
“if.” Christ has set the example
for us, and we are to forgive unconditionally just as He forgave us
unconditionally—all we had to do was ask (sincerely with repentance). Our forgiveness wasn’t limited based on
the kind or quantity of our sin; it was free and unconditional in spite of
our sin. David Guzik makes a good
point:
“If an offending party
is unrepentant, it does no good for the offended one to hold on to their hurt
and bitterness. Even if true forgiveness and reconciliation cannot be made
because there is no recognition of wrong, the offended party still can and must
give it to the Lord God and make the promise of forgiveness unto God. We can do
this after the pattern of Jesus in Luke 23:34, ’Then
said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ If we do this, it will be evident by a lack
of bitterness and resentment towards the offending party, and a willingness to
restore the relationship at the slightest evidence of repentance.”
(to be
continued…)
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