Colossians 3: 12-17
We have just gone over all that we were to leave behind with the "dead body" of flesh; now we will see what we are putting on with the new life in the Spirit.
(12) So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved,
Because God chose us as His holy and beloved children, this is what we are to do:
put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience;
These are the qualities of our Lord Jesus Christ that the Father is building in us. So we are responsible to cooperate with Him and have compassion on one another; we are to make sure that we are acting in a kind way with each other; to realize our true standing and state, in spite of our original condition; calm our harsh reactions into gentleness; and to cultivate patience when we feel aggravated and frustrated.
(13) bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Jesus Christ our Lord was tortured and executed for us, so we could be forgiven. Since He went through all that, is it too much to ask that we just put up with a little aggravation and frustration? To consider the source, and let it go? To forgive that person, and not hold it against them any more?
(14) Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Above and beyond and permeating all of these character qualities is the love that undergirds them all, and acts as an overcoat over all of them. This love for one another because God has Loved us is the basis for everything God does, so it should also be the reason that we do everything concerning our relationships and dealings with one another.
The Spirit of Love is the bond that unites us into one body, with Christ as our Head. As one organic organism each body part is to have care for each other body part. It doesn't matter if we even like each other, when we decide to make the effort to see them in the light of love, then our feelings of liking will catch up with our will, and we will be able to get along with one another.
(15) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
When we all get along, then we are at peace with one another, and we can function as Christ's body, doing His work as His hands and feet and other organs. Then we will feel so much better than when we were quarreling, and be thankful that God planned it that way for us.
(16) Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you,
Let God's written Word, our Scriptures, be abundantly at home in each of us, continually gaining a fuller and richer and deeper understanding of God's ways in this Earth and in each of us, and His great Plan of the Ages, in which He has given each of us a part to play.
with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another
We are to share our insights into God's word with one another in encouraging them and helping them through whatever troubles they're facing, and leading them into acting and responding in godly ways.
with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
We are to sing together and also in our hearts to the Lord. God loves music, He put a whole hymnal in His written Word, the Book of Psalms.
(17) Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
No matter what it is we're doing, since we're Christ's body parts, we should be doing it in the Name of the Lord Jesus, whether we're having a simple meal, or relaxing or having fun with friends and family.
O my Father, please help Your children to realize that You are inside them in the Person of Your Holy Spirit, and that You go with them everywhere they go, and hear everything they say and think.
O Father, You are Love, and You are aware of each of us every moment of every day. Help us to be as aware of You as we can, every moment, too.
Please send out Your children to all of Your lost sheep, all of Your unborn children who are still in the embryonic stage of life, to let them know how You have loved them, and to bring them to the birth into Your own family.
And grow up all of Your children into the adult stature of the Son of God.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, our Lord God Almighty, sovereign King of all Creation; to the glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
