Good Choices for the Chosen

Introduction

Paul says at verse 12 that we are “chosen of God”. What exactly does he mean that we are “chosen by God”? Colossians 3:12 “12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;”

Think about being chosen for the Olympics. What does it take to be an Olympian? Does the Olympic committee choose babies that are on the way that they have a good feeling about? NO! They must make good choices.

Consider the gymnast Gabby Douglas that won the gold a few nights ago. That girl has worked diligently for many years to be where she is, even leaving her family to go and train across the country with a coach. There was much sacrifice that had to be made to get there.

Consider Michael Phelps. He has just won his 22nd medal, 18th gold. This man swims a minimum of 50 miles per week, 5-6 hours per day, and eats 12,000 calories a day. His life is literally eating and swimming.

In order to be chosen for the Olympics, these people must be willing to do what is necessary to be part of that elite group!

A famous cellist was once told, “I would give anything to be able to play like you!” To which the cellist replied, “No you wouldn’t, otherwise you would be able to play like me.” There is an ever increasing sentiment in this country and this world that you are either born with it or not. While there is definitely something to be said about talent, it is amazing what we can accomplish if we devote ourselves to the pursuit!

So, how are we chosen? In much the same way! It is not by physical birth, but by new birth!

Paul is often quoted in Ephesians 1 as saying that we are predestined to salvation. However, not what he says at Ephesians 1:4 “4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. He chose us in Him to be holy and blameless. He did not choose the person, but what it would take to be part of His saved people, holy and blameless!

Going back to our text in Colossians, notice verse 12. Once again Paul says we are chosen by God to be holy and blameless.

We must be born again to be part of that saved body. Romans 6:22 “22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.” explains that through baptism we derive our benefit, sanctification. That is we become holy by being obedient from the heart to baptism!

While it is easy to see what sanctifies us, makes us holy and blameless, sometimes it can be a little more difficult to come to terms with what the chosen are supposed to be doing. Let’s see what Paul identifies as “Good Choices for the Chosen”.

The Chosen must...

Put On A Good Heart. (3:12-13)

Paul tells the chosen to put on a good heart at verse 12. Colossians 3:12–13 “12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 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.”

The heart is supposed to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient, forbearing and forgiving.

As we look at these good heart qualities, what is he really saying? He is saying that we are supposed to act right towards one another.

Have you ever known someone that just really annoys you? You can’t quite put your finger on it, but everything they say and ever little action or expression gets under your skin. I used to work with a girl growing up who did that to me. I remember just avoiding her to keep from being irritated!

Friends, the Lord’s church is for all! Notice verse 11 and 24-25 Colossians 3:11 “11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.” , Colossians 3:24–25“24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.” . God considers us all equal and he will reward us equally or punish us equally. The church, being made up of people from all walks of life, is bound to turn up some people that we don’t get along with as well as others. However, we cannot ignore one another. We cannot bite and snap at one another. Paul tells us that we need to put on a patient, kind, and forgiving heart!

Paul’s words to the Philippians 2:3 “3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;” to consider other more important should ring in our ears!

If we want to be God’s chosen, we must choose to put on a good heart toward one another!

Put On Love. (3:14)

While this is probably just another “good heart” admonition, Paul separates it, so we will too!

Paul speaks of love as being the most important good heart quality. “Beyond all these” he says.

Paul speaks of the “more excellent way” at I Corinthians 12:31-13:13. Without love for my brethren, I can do nothing for them. I am a noisy gong. I am nothing. I am unprofitable.

The most important good heart quality is that I love my brethren. I love them enough to try to understand them. I love them enough to forgive them. I love them enough to be patient.

Notice what Paul calls love, “the perfect bond of unity”. With some of Jesus’ final recorded words before His crucifixion He prayed for unity. (John 17:20–21“20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” ) It is no small thing. It is a command from King Jesus! It is the only way that a church works! No progress can be made minus unity.

I love my wife. My love for her and her love for me has us working together.

If we want to be God’s chosen, we must choose to put on love toward one another!

Let Peace Rule. (3:15)

Paul tells us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts in Colossians 3:15 “15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” . We were called to this in one body. Colossians 1:18“18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” tell us that the body is the church.

Have you ever had a hard time clearing your mind? That happens to me at night sometimes. I get to thinking about things and before I know it my whole body is so wound up sleep is impossible. If I can ever just clear my mind, everything will calm down.

Jesus is the head of the body per Colossians 1:18.

The beauty of this arrangement is that there is a perfect head telling the body what to do. We can all be calm and at peace if we will just let the Lord rule over us through His word.

When problems arise amongst us, what do we do? Do we listen to the head, Jesus, or do we just try to plow through our own way? His way works and brings peace.

Notice Paul’s final statement. “Be thankful”. Certainly we can give Christ thanks for peace!

If we want to be God’s chosen, we must choose to let the peace of Christ rule our hearts.

Let The Word Dwell In Us. (3:16)

Paul tells us that the word should dwell in us richly in Colossians 3:16 “16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” . Teaching and admonishing in song.

James 5:13 says, “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises.” This is the natural reaction.

I remember how much I used to love hearing my mom sing growing up. She would knock around the house or drive down the road singing hymns. It just bubbled out!

My friends, we are supposed to be so filled with Christ words that they just bubble out. This is true of our assemblies and it is true of our day to day lives.

What about us? Are we so filled that God’s word bubbles out of us? Let’s get busy! (2 Timothy 2:15“15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” )

If we want to be God’s chosen, we must choose to let His word dwell in us.

Do All In Jesus’ Name. (3:17)

As people who are to be filled with the spirit, it does not then make much sense to ignore it!

We should seek to say and do everything by Christ’s authority! This is a great mark of the chosen! They would be blameless. Colossians 3:17 “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.”

Blameless indicates that we have nothing with which we can be blamed.

This requires me asking what the scripture rather than just acting presumptuously.

I remember one year after I first began doing my taxes I had a question. Being that it was April 14th, there was no way to get through, even the website was having difficulty. I finally decided to just do what I thought was best. Not a good idea. I still remember the cold chill I got when I saw that IRS letter in my mailbox. Luckily it was only a nastygram, not an audit. Some are more careful with Uncle Sam than with Father God!

If we want to be God’s chosen, we must choose to do all by His authority, in His name!

Conclusion

What about you? Are you one of the chosen?

If not, become one. If so, are you choosing well as the chosen?