This is the sixth sermon in a series of messages through the New Testament book of Colossians. This message is based on Col. 3:12-4:1 and continues discussing the attitudes and conduct that the believers were urged to follow after they have put aside the negative attitudes and behaviors mentioned in the earlier portion of chapter three. The author provides a number of general admonitions, as well as specific admonitions for various people and the life roles they fulfill. A video recording of the worship service in which this message was delivered can be viewed by clicking here.
Written Excerpts:
Introduction:
As most of you know, we have been studying through the book of Colossians in the New Testament. This is a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christian believers in the city of Colossae while he was a prisoner in Rome. The church was not started by Paul, but was probably started by one of Paul’s converts, Epaphras. Epaphras had brought word to Paul in Rome about the status of the Colossian church, which prompted Paul to write the letter.
Last week we covered verses 1-11 in chapter three as we learned how
believers should apply the truth that they have died and risen with Christ.
Because of the fact they have died and risen with Christ, their lives should
reflect some noticeable changes.
I. The Rationale for the Transformed Life (3:1-4)
II. Negative Characteristics to Abandon (3:5-11)
They were commanded to “put to death” certain sins Paul named and to
“put off” like old clothing certain attitudes that were related to the life
before faith.
A. Put to Death Some Characteristics (5-7)
Fornication, Uncleanness, Passion, Evil
Desire, Covetousness
B. Put off Other Characteristics (8-11)
Anger, Wrath, Malice, Blasphemy, Filthy Language, Lying
III. Positive Characteristics to Embrace (3:12-4:1)
The next noticeable change Paul describes for them includes the “putting on” of new attitudes and behaviors, just as if they have put on new clothing. We didn’t have time to talk about these last week, so that is where we will begin today with verse 12. Often in the NT, Paul and other writers not only identified the wrong or bad qualities they urged believers to remove from their lives, but they also stressed the good / holy attitudes and behaviors that they must add into their lives.
Again today, just like last week, we will notice that Paul urges his readers to add these positive characteristics by issuing numerous imperative verbs (i.e., commands). (In these 15 verses there are 13 commands / imperatives.)
A. Positive qualities come from their spiritual inheritance. (3:12a)
Colossians 3:12a (NKJV) Therefore,
as the elect of God, holy and beloved…
Paul indicates there is an underlying reason why their character and
behavior needs to change… it is because they are now the “chosen people of
God.” They are the “new Israel” so they must reflect the character of God, just
like the Israelites were supposed to do in the Old Covenant.
I have mentioned before: Dr. John Oswalt points out regarding the Exodus and the giving of the covenant the fact that Israel was chosen and saved/delivered by God’s grace alone. The law was not about how they could earn God’s salvation, but it was all about how they could live in relationship and covenant with a holy God. They were to take on the very nature of God himself. The same can be said regarding NT Christians. There is no character trait or conduct that can merit God’s salvation. However, now that we have been saved and have become God’s “chosen people” we are expected to reflect His character. In order to do that, we must “put on” Christ-like qualities.
B. Positive qualities include virtues of the heart & life.
(3:12b-16)
Colossians 3:12b (NKJV) … put
on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
“tender mercies” – (KJV, bowels of mercy), ref. to the “seat of
emotions” and refers to compassion, pity, etc. An attribute of God – several
places in the Bible God is described as a God of compassion.
“kindness” – (Thayer) from
a root word that implied “usefulness;” moral goodness and integrity.
“humility” – (Thayer) having
a humble opinion of oneself; modesty.
“meekness” – (Vincent, Word
Studies in the New Testament) Its primary meaning is mild, gentle. It was
applied to inanimate things, as light, wind, sound, sickness. It was used of a
horse; gentle…. The Christian word, on the contrary, describes an inward
quality, and that as related primarily to God. … The Christian meekness is
based on humility, which is not a natural quality but an outgrowth of a renewed
nature. … outgrowths of a spiritual relation to God.
“longsuffering” – (Thayer) While [patience] is the temper which does
not easily succumb under suffering, [longsuffering] is the self-restraint which
does not hastily retaliate a wrong.
These qualities will enable them to “bear continually” with one another
and to “forgive continually” one another, mainly because they will remember
that Christ has forgiven them. (present tense verbs)
Colossians 3:13 (NKJV) bearing
with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint
against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Additional positive qualities mentioned in this section include:
Colossians 3:14 (NKJV) But
above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
“Put on” is in italics in some translations, meaning that the verb does
not actually appear in the original text, but it is supplied from the previous
use (12b). This trait (love) is the main principle for compassionate actions
toward others. It is the “crown jewel” of everything else. It is action, not
emotion.
Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) And
let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one
body; and be thankful.
“let peace rule” – imperative; (Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament) Lit., be umpire. Only
here in the New Testament…. The previous references to occasions for meekness,
long-suffering, forbearance, forgiveness, etc., indicate a conflict of passions
and motives in the heart. Christ is the one who adjusts all these, so that the
metaphorical sense [i.e., umpire] is appropriate….
Colossians 3:16 (NKJV) Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord.
“let Word of Christ dwell richly” – imperative; Open up your heart to
allow Christ's word take up permanent residency. In other words, do not seek
the least amount of His Word to “squeak by,” but immerse, get all you can, gain
all the benefit possible.
“in all wisdom” – Probably goes with “teaching and admonishing.”
Cf. Colossians 1:28 (NKJV) Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom,
that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
When the words and message of Christ lives in us abundantly, they will find
expression in passing the message of truth to others (teaching and admonishing)
and through worship with the singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
C. Positive qualities include rules for relationships. (3:18-25; 4:1)
Wives, husbands, children, fathers, servants, & masters.
(C.S. Lewis, Essay “The
Sermon and the Lunch”) If the home
is to be a means of grace it must be a place of rules ... the
alternative to rule is not freedom but the unconstitutional (and often
unconscious) tyranny of the most selfish member.’ (quoted by N.T. Wright in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries)
(N.T. Wright, Tyndale NT Commentaries) – … balancing carefully the duties and
responsibilities of the various family members so that the stronger parties have
duties as well as rights, and those who are in a position of submission are
treated as responsible human beings, with rights as well as duties…. Neither
party is to be arrogant or domineering… The ‘submission’ here is not that of
the slave, or the doormat. The equality of women and men before the Lord, of
which Paul wrote in Galatians 3:28, has not been retracted: but neither does it
mean identity of role or function.
What about status of women and slaves? Does Paul condone…? I have read repeatedly how the status of women and slaves was elevated everywhere the Christian faith flourished. Paul (and the Lord) addressed people with practical principles for the culture in which they lived. But there are enough mandates found in the Bible so that serious Christians sought to eliminate slavery and abuse of women wherever they lived.
D. Positive qualities include gratitude and purpose. (3:15b, 17, 23-25)
Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) And
let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one
body; and be thankful.
Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) And
whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through Him.
1. We should be grateful for what Christ has done for us and is doing
in us.
If pausing to meditate on what Christ went through to save us and to refine us doesn’t inspire gratitude in our hearts, then there is something drastically wrong! But, he has done more than something FOR us. He is doing much more WITH us or in us. There is a saying that has been around a long time that hopefully most of us could apply to our own lives: “I’m not what I want / hope to be, but thank God, I’m not what I used to be!”
(That is not intended to be a “cop-out” or excuse to stop striving to
be closer to the Lord.)
2. Our purpose for every attitude and action should be to glorify
Christ.
v. 17 “… do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”
(N.T. Wright, Tyndale NT Commentaries) – Acting ‘in someone’s name’ means both representing him and being
empowered to do so. Paul’s exhortation is therefore a salutary [useful] check
on behaviour (‘can I really do this, if I am representing the Lord Jesus?’) and
an encouragement to persevere with difficult tasks undertaken for him, knowing
that necessary strength will be provided.
vv. 23-25 should probably be understood in direct connection with the
admonition to the slaves/servants. However, it is a valid principle that all
people in all walks of life should use for daily life.
“Do whatever you do as if you’re doing it for the Lord. So, do it heartily.” Don’t focus on the immediate reward, because the Lord will give out rewards in His time. His day of judgment (rewards and punishment) will be done in absolute truth and justice, without favoritism or partiality.
Conclusion:
We have been talking about living a transformed life. Last Sunday we emphasized the traits that the Apostle commanded his readers to remove from their attitudes and conduct. This week we have emphasized the traits that we need to add and develop in our attitudes and conduct. The bottom line is: we need to continually change to reflect more and more the image of Christ and bring glory to Him.
Whatever our position or status in life, we should seek to model the
attitudes and actions that glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.
Closing Song: Living for Jesus
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