Morning Munch 3

Text

Colossians 3:12–17 ESV

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Observations

Context

I believe that this entire chapter is really a message on the desire for unity in the church, and how we should value that unity in the church.

How is this done? By daily putting on a new attitude.

Colossians 3:1–2 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

This brings to a couple of observations.

Observations

Walking in recovery from being a drug addict for over 20 years now, I can tell you that I didn’t get here by accident

It happened primarily by the grace of God, but there was also a bit of intention on my part, I had to live in such a way that I would set myself up for success.

This is exactly what Paul was advising the church, starting back in verse one of chapter 3 (seek the things that are above, where Christ is…)

We need to recognize also that we are chosen by God, Himself, this happened before creation

I would like to zero in on v. 15

Colossians 3:15 ESV

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Application

What we may miss here, but appears to be assumed by Paul, is that the Peace of Christ, is really the presence of the Holy Spirit. When we surrender our lives to Christ, when we pass from death to life, we are given a seal of the Holy Spirit, he begins to reside in us. If we understand that, then it becomes much easier for us to surrender to Him regularly and allow Him to rule.

A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament βραβεύω

βραβεύω, I decide (in a conflict between contending forces); hence, I rule, I administer.

We begin to allow the Holy Spirit to decide how we operate, how we too, can begin to breathe life into others when we come into contact with others and how we can build one another up.

The practical way to do this: Be Thankful! Be known for being thankful. Have you ever tried to be the most thankful person in the room? Try it, it actually becomes life giving to those we come across.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit, where we have access to Your throne room. Lord, help us to think on things that glorify You, help us to value Your Bride, the church, those that are already members of Your body, as well as the many Pre-Christians that we run into that we are sharing Your gospel with. Help us to take on new attitudes of thankfulness. Help us to be life breathing to everyone we meet.