Good morning all, on this “Exceptionally Alive” Friday! Before we get started, please start by focusing on our Father…seeking Him…and then pray for a clear mind and spirit…preparing to receive His word.
Colossians 3:12-15 (NIV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
When I first read these verses for today, I couldn’t help but think….Wow! Hallelujahs goin’ up and fireworks goin’ off…the kind of joy and sense of fulfillment marked by an “Exceptionally Alive” life in Jesus! These verses are so packed full of the “Identity” and “Action” that Pastor has been teaching us. So, let’s unpack them together, and see where HE leads us.
As I began to read & listen, the first thing that struck me was…Hey, there’s that word…you know…
”Therefore”…something’s fixing to happen!..but before Paul gets to the Action…he lays the foundation for that Action. Our Identity in Jesus Christ…THE Chosen One:
…as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved…
Wow!...you and me, CHOSEN...
…you and me, HOLY…set apart…
…you and me, DEARLY LOVED…not just loved, but “dearly loved”…
… All by God the Father Almighty!
Then, Paul calls us to Action:
…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
The next thing that stood out to me was…why did Paul use “clothe yourselves”? Well, I guess it’s sort of like the imagery he used in Ephesians…”put on the armor”. Now, we know that clothes can offer us some protection from the elements, and comfort, too…not to mention they are what people “see” us in. That’s it! Because of our Christ given Identity, we get to share the compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience of Jesus with everyone we’re around!
At that point, I don’t know if I can describe what I was on my heart, but I knew had to stop and pray:
Dear Father, please help me…I leak so badly! Please renew me each day, and give me
the faith and strength to surrender myself…and to fully trust in Jesus. Amen!
As we continue on with Paul, we see more Christ-Like Action:
Bear with each other…don’t just tolerate each other ….Bear with!
forgive one another....not just in a earthly-casual way…but as the Lord forgave you.
Paul uses some strong language here, probably because he is totally in tune with just how much we can leak and take these virtues for granted…when we don’t live out of our new Identity.
Next, Paul sums up this section of scripture so well…. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Then Paul gives us one last exhortation…one last call to Action… Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
And then, there it was, the Action that my Father needed Jim to see this day…and every day…because of the life, death and resurrection of THE Chosen One, Jesus Christ…I’m chosen…I’m holy…I’m dearly loved…. be thankful! Yes, that’s what a lot of my “leakeyness” seems to be caused by…un-thankfulness. Thanks be to God!
What are your thoughts? What is your Heavenly Father saying to you through these verses? Sure would like to hear from you!
Blessings to you & yours!
jim