Putting on the Gospel: A Devotion From Colossians 3:12-17. Colossians 3:14, KJV: "And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness." Colossians 3:13. by Grant Richison | Oct 17, 1996 | Colossians | 2 comments. Romans 12:18 tells us, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, bet at peace with all men.” The tragic reality is that such peace will not be possible with all men, yet we must do all that we can to make it possible and that includes a proper effort in forgiving. Forgiving Each Other – Colossians 3:13 (carizovmenoi eJautoi'” / charidzomenoi heautois). As conflict moves into areas of sin against you (Matthew 18:15) or another (1 Corinthians 5:1-8), or you catch the person in a trespass (Galatians 6:1), then confrontation becomes necessary. To forbear is not only freely to forgive, but to meet half way, with extended hand (E. T. E. Since God is always right, any conflict with Him requires us to confess our sins to Him and thereby receive His forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9). You put on the new man and follow the example of Jesus. I patiently explained what the scripture taught from Old Testament to New, but he couldn't see it. Gentleness and patience are the expression of a proper Christian temperament toward others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. B.). In today’s devotion, we will be looking at Colossians … Paul says that the Colossians should bear with and forgive one another just as Christ has forgiven them. With admonitions like these, we step into the intimate personal relationships within a congregation or family. In the book of Philippians Paul expands on this theme explaining how to be joyful in all circumstances for he was rejoicing even while he was unjustly in jail awaiting another trial. However, forgiveness is certainly not unilateral or unconditional in its application, otherwise all people are forgiven and Hell will be empty except for the devil and his demons. Bearing with One Another – Colossians 3:13 (ajnecovmenoi ajllhvlwn / anechomenoi all l n). The Need for Forgiveness. Those who are sensitive to such offenses work harder at it, for they must consciously set aside the transgression. In Acts 15 Paul and Barnabas disagreed about Barnabas’ cousin, Mark, so they agreed to go their separate ways. His response was to go to the jail to present the gospel to the murderer. How then do you bear up when others treat you improperly, even cruelly? Paul lists out five virtues in Colossians 3:12 which we examined last week. Others withhold forgiveness until the conditions they have set are satisfied which easily results in rationalizing forgiveness away. What does it mean to “bear with one another” and how can the Christian do this? For that reason, the old man, the person we used to be, is to be laid aside for he has died and we are not to keep dragging that old corpse around with us any longer. Ideally, the matters are quickly resolved with the needed apologies resulting in forgiveness and reconciliation between both parties. 14 And above all these put on j love, which k binds everything together in l perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Love is the crown; it tops off, as it were, all of the other virtues, tying them all together. John Piper Jul 28, 2019 2.4K Shares Article. Colossians 3:13 bearing with one another and forgiving each other whoever * has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 2) Count how many times “forgive” is used. In our study of Colossians 3 Paul has described the Christian as having died and been raised up with Christ with their life now hidden in Him in God (Colossians 3:1-2  See: Consequences of Life in Christ). In Ephesians 4:1-3 Paul entreats believers “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Forebearing with one another along with the other virtues is simply part of walking in a manner worthy of Jesus’ calling of us. In effect, you absorb the wrong done and overlook it. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan. Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." Yet, such people are part of life and we will have to deal with them in some manner. NIV, Beautiful Word Bible Journal, Luke, Comfort Print. There are at least three reasons Ive never won: (1) Ive only entered one race so far in my life. We are to cease living according to the desires of the flesh and lusts of the mind. Because there is a radical change that occurs when a person turns from their sin and self-righteousness and places their faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. 14. 2 ). Gentleness and patience are the opposites of passion and wrath in which emotions control the mind and behavior. Paul then continues on to list and discuss three more virtues in the verses that follow along with encouragement in putting them into practical action. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. 13:5, As the nature of an offense increases, the ability to unilaterally forgive ________________, Bilateral Forgiveness – a breakage in the relationship requires ____________ parties to be involved, Granting forgiveness does not mean forgiveness is accepted – leaving the relationship still ___________, Some conflicts may only resolve to an “agree to _____________”, Issues of Sin – Sin requires __________________ – Matthew 18:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-8; Galatians 6:1, Step One: Confront to “win the brother” in ______________ if possible, or by personal means if not, Step Two: If no resolution, involve ______________ / mediators – Matthew 18:16; Galatians 6:1-4, Step Three: If no resolution, tell it to the ____________ – Matthew 18:17, Step Four: If no resolution, treat the sinning brother as a “____________ & tax gatherer”, When sin is involved, forgiveness _______________ be unconditional, Repentance – Luke 17:2-3. That was Jesus’ point in the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:33-35. All the widows wanted the work to continue, and only a month later Elizabeth Elliot and the martyred Nate Saint’s sister, Rachel, were living among the tribe. The Christian learns to be patient with all men (1 Thessalonians 5:14). When sin becomes involved and is apparent, you confront the one in sin and seek to do all that you can to bring about reconciliation though their sin and selfishness may keep that from happening. For minor irritations you can choose to unconditionally and unilaterally forgive by overlooking them or covering them with love. Paul then uses the conjunction kathos (“just as”) in 3:13 to introduce a comparison that modifies the participial phrase. 3:11,12). During the celebrated John Henderson’s residence at Oxford, a student of a neighbouring college, proud of his logical achievements, was solicitous of a private disputation. Here is some help. On account of all these things. There are unconditional and unilateral elements in forgiveness and it can be accomplished this way in certain situations when the conflicts are minor. Jul 28, 2019. Her response to the gospel was the same. The Glory of God and Why We Sing. In believing what God says to be true, you step forward to live in the manner He commands and He in turn empowers you to do so and changes you. There was an eventual reconciliation, for Paul asks for Mark to be brought to him because he was of useful service (2 Timothy 4:11). Paul has described several of these changes in the book of Colossians. Hence the fawning over those they consider heroes and the celebrity culture that has developed. In this section in Colossians, Paul is using the analogy of clothing. The full verse states, “bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” It is one thing to endure suffering, it is quite another to forgive those who are the cause of it, yet that is the response of those who have put on the new man. Without forgiveness these conflicts will hinder, damage and destroy the loving relationships we are to have with one another. Colossians 3:16(ESV) Verse Thoughts The Lord Jesus was meek and lowly, full of compassion and of great mercy – and the gracious words that fell from His lips were life and health and healing and we are exhorted to let His Word dwell in us richly, both His spoken words and His written word, for they produce in us abundance of life and the spirit of true wisdom. The Christian’s forgiveness of others must also be founded in love of God and others. Put on the __________________and live for Christ, As those ________of God, holy and beloved, we are to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle & patient, Non-Christians can feel compassion for those suffering, but Christians are to have this for their ________, The unregenerate desire good for those they like; believers desire good for all even those who _____them, Sinful people can be humble before a superior, Christians are ____________even with those inferior, Any one can learn to be courteous, but believers are gentle to please the ______, not to manipulate others, Non-Christians can be patient with those they love – and fear; Christians are to be patient with ________, These virtues are put into practice by _________ and divinely empowered, This adds to patience & long suffering the element of holding up against a thing and so to __________, We are not to let our circumstances and trial drag us ___________ – 1 Corinthians 4:11-13, Ephesians 4:1-3 – Forbearing is simply part of ___________in a manner worthy of Jesus’ calling of us, You can bear up when you have put on the new man to walk according to ____________ instead of self, Forgiving Each Other – Colossians 3:13 (carizovmenoi eJautoi'” / charidzomenoi heautois), The Need for Forgiveness – complaining & blaming have been a ___________human trait since the fall, Conflicts are _______________because they can arise from even simple difference of opinion & purpose, The root of quarreling and conflict is our ____________________ and envy – James 4:1-3, Foundations for Forgiveness – Forgiveness arises from the other virtues which are all founded on _____, Forgiveness “signifies the ________________ of the punishment due to sinful conduct” (Vines), God grants forgiveness as the outworking of His ____________ for us in Christ, The Goal of Forgiveness – bring about the reconciliation of the relationships damaged by ___________, ______________ is necessary to bring about forgiveness – Matthew 7:3-5; Galatians 6:1-5, Peace is not possible with all men, but we are to do ________________ to make it possible, Unilateral Forgiveness – Christians should _________be ready to forgive – Matthew 5:7; 6:15; 18:21-35, An individual can choose to ______________an offense – Proverbs 19:11; 17:14; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 Cor. Colossians 3:13, NASB : "bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you." Forgiveness “signifies the remission of the punishment due to sinful conduct” (Vines), and God grants forgiveness as the outworking of His love for us. How then do you deal with people that irritate you or even do you wrong? Unilateral Forgiveness. We put into action kindness and humility, and humility is an absolute necessity to bring about reconciliation and forgiveness. Paul’s circumstances were difficult and he was treated very poorly by others including those who were supposed to be fellow believers, yet his response was one that demonstrated that he had indeed been changed from Saul the persecutor into Paul the apostle of Christ. The word is used fifteen times in the New Testament with its intensity ranging from having to endure the ignorance and foolishness of others (Matthew 17:17) to persecution and affliction (2 Thessalonians 1:4). There are also a lot of options for a Christian, but they range from trying to ignore them in some manner to making them into a friend. The selfishness of immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed along with their expressions against others in anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive speech are replaced by the selflessness of compassion, kindness and humility along with their actions of gentleness and patience. ur parents how you forgive someone who irritates you or has done something wrong to you. Non-Christians can and often do feel compassion for those who are suffering and want to help, but those in Christ are to have that response even toward their enemies. No statement is made about whether the complaint is legitimate or not, for forgiveness must enter into the relationship whether there is a just complaint or not. On the unilateral side, an individual can choose to overlook an offense. In many ways these continue to raise the level of selflessness required to a much higher plane. Let me quickly review the five virtues listed in verse 12 and point out the difference between them in the life of a believer who has put on the new man and an unbeliever or a Christian who is still walking in the memory of the old man. If the conflict is causing your relationship to be strained and it is uncomfortable to be around the person, then you probably need to talk with them and try to work things out. Talk with the widows and their children this should be in person ( Matthew 18:15 ), the! A resolution to the dentist for a root canal seem like a pleasurable alternative listed as being fruits the! 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