Colossians 3: 12 - 17
We have looked into the things that we, as Christ followers, must cut out of our lives. As you reflect on those things, please remember that this is the work of our lifetimes! It begins today - and continues at the dawn of each new day - but it is a lifetime endeavor. I repeat that because I know our tendency to see more of our failures than our successes. Today's reading is a beautiful breath of fresh air because of the positive nature of the instructions. Read slowly ... letting each of these graces fall gently on your spirit.
This list mirrors the fruit of the Spirit that Paul describes in Galatians 5:22-23. Paul tells us to "clothe ourselves" with them - to "put them on". I am touched by the intentionality of this instruction. Takes practice - but - "just do it"! The Greek word translated here means "to sink into, as into a garment." We have been instructed to "take off" ... and now the instruction is to "put on". Allow me to make a few observations:
1. Paul calls these believers "God's chosen people", "holy", "dearly loved". These have previously been the descriptors of the Jews only. They have been the precious heritage of God's chosen nation, the Jewish nation. It is more than remarkable that Paul uses these same phrases to address a Gentile audience! After the cross ... there is no longer a "most favored nation" status in the kingdom of God.
2. Compassion - the ancient world knew very little mercy. The aged, the infirm, the handicapped, the maimed - they were left to fend for themselves with very little recourse. Barclay says, "It is not too much to say that everything that has been done for the aged, the sick, the weak in body and in mind, the animal, the child, the woman has been done under the inspiration of Christianity." To whom do you need to show mercy? Not judgment, but compassion?
3. Humility - this is a revolutionary concept for the ancient Greek world. I have read that in classical Greek there is no word for humility that does not include some tinge of insignificance, or servility or grovelling. Christian humility is such a different thing! It is based on two realities: a) the recognition of the creatureliness of humanity and b) the recognition that all mankind is created in the image of God. Do you recognize these two realities? How do they act out in your own life?
In verses 15 - 16, translators have chosen to use the word, "let". Let the peace of Christ rule ... let the word of Christ dwell. That little word, let, implies - to allow, to permit. Allow the peace of Christ to rule in your hearts. The word translated, rule, is a word that means to umpire, to decide. Do you hear Paul? When contemplating a response or a decision, the peace of Christ gets to call the shots! It is the word, logos, that is used in verse 16. Christ is the logos of God - the word in flesh. So we are to allow the very person and presence of Christ, through His Spirit, to live in us. We received God's Spirit at our conversion ... but are we allowing that Spirit to "dwell" in us ... to set up "housekeeping" in us - or are we fighting that Spirit every inch of the way? It is only the logos of God, the person of Jesus, that seasons our teaching with godliness and makes it meaningful - that causes our singing to be more than just music - that stirs in us a spirit of thanksgiving in the midst of both good and hard circumstances.
So - Chirst-follower - everything you do today ... everything you think today ... every response you give today ... every interaction you have today, whether friend, family or stranger ... let it be covered and driven by the peace of Christ and the Word of Christ. And in that way - our life today will be a living sacrifice of praise to Jehovah God! May you know that blessing today.
This passage has long been one of my favorites. As I read your comments the word intentionality stood out to me. I was struck by how unintentional -- even oblivious -- we can sometimes be in our wardrobe habits. We throw on some cozy track pants or jeans and an old T-shirt. A rip, a stain, a raveled hem is excused by a list of household chores or the fact that we're staying home today so nobody will see it. Then I thought about the huge time investment for a movie star or a fashion model to get "camera-ready" because millions of people are going to be watching (some of them with their thumbs on the slow-motion or pause button!). No room there to be unintentional about the smallest detail. As God's chosen people we are called to be His fashion models to the world. What will we choose to wear? Lights... camera... action!
ReplyDeleteThe other word I noticed was let. It's interesting to me that the same Greek word for "rule" is used twice within 6 words. I wish our English language offered more options for translating this word because "allow" seems terribly lenient. Off on my usual rabbit-trail, I thought it might be interesting to see how the Septuagint rendered "Let there be light" in Genesis 1:3... I tried to look it up but couldn't figure out how -- do you know?
I have no idea! But an interesting trail :)
ReplyDeleteAllowing Jesus' spirit to rule in me is so difficult sometimes. When I face troubling issures I want to solve them myself. What a hoot. I can't solve anything without Christ, but knowing that and living that are often hard. I pray for peace and then keep worrying about the situation myself. Not a good route to travel. Thanks for the analysis on this passage; it's really on target for me. jb
ReplyDeleteJB - I so agree with you. It is so difficult to get rid of the illusion of control with which we all struggle! As you stated, "Knowing that and living that" are indeed different things ... so we keep on trying ... and by the grace of God we get better day by day ...
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