Colossians 3:12-14 / True Growth
Notes
Transcript
Handout
“Put on then”
“Put on then”
We need to lay some ground work.
This describes the depth of change that we should experience as Christians.
It is dependent on you first accomplishing the instructions (by the power of the Holy Spirit) to put to other qualities to death in you.
But you don’t stop there
Your life in Christ is not about what NOT to do, it’s about the new you.
I would equate this this to marriage.
On March 18, 1995 I was spiritually joined to Melissa.(and her to me)
On that day, we both stopped being two independent people and became one.
You will never experience God’s design for marriage if you don’t understand that. Likewise, you will never experience the God’s wonderful plan for your life if you don’t understand how He wants you to change your life for Him.
When you think about Paul’s instruction to “Put on” these things, I want you to understand that...
We are not called to act differently; we are called to be different.
But how do we know that?
Because we are New (therefore -> V9-10. New Self)
These verses are going to explain what that means.
Because we are Chosen.
Whether free will or elected God made a choice
He chose to forgive you.
We are Holy.
You are set apart.
There should be a sacredness about you
“Royal priesthood, a HOLY nation”
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
We are Beloved.
(Agape) Strongest kind of deep love
Same love as John 3:16
When you see yourself differently, you will be able to understand why it is so important that you are different!
It’s one thing to say I am a new creation, but what does that really mean?
Who you are.
Who you are.
Put on these traits: (after putting the others to death.)
Compassionate hearts – deep awareness & sympathy of the suffering of others.
When we see people hurt, we hurt for them.
When we see injustice, we feel offended.
We strive to see people as God does (with compassion)
This is really the basis of outreach. (Not trying to conquer the land but save the lost.)
If there is a church who struggles with an effective outreach ministry, they probably lack compassion for the lost.
Kindness – warmhearted, considerate, humane.
How you want to make the other person(s) feel.
Do they matter? Your words and actions should show it.
Imagine the impact we could make today just by being kind!
Humility – lowly attitude toward God.
Not about making you less but making God more.
You’re not worthless – Jesus died for you.
You’re Chosen, Holy, & Beloved.
Meekness – lowly attitude toward others.
Same as humility….make others more.
People confuse this with being SHEEPISH
As if it isn’t “manly” to be meek.
It’s not that I think I’m not valuable, I just choose not to make that the issue.
Patience – how you respond to unpleasant situations.
How we respond to others should be covered with our compassion, kindness, and meekness.
Understand these traits in the context of Peter’s instruction
8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If these qualities are yours and are increasing…
How you handle to conflict.
How you handle to conflict.
Paul lists two parts for dealing with conflict: bearing with each other & forgiving each other.
Bearing with
(Before conflict happens) You bear with one another.
You decide in your heart the value of other people.
“Bearing with” - is particularly talking about people / or their quirks that bother you.
It assumes that people sometimes be offensive.
11 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
Forgiving each other
IF one has a complaint against another.
Get the log of your own eye.
Go to that person and make peace.
Unresolved conflict will kill a church.
How you love.
How you love.
Agape – same type of love shown to us in verse 12.
John 3:16 shows us that this type of love is at the very center of God’s love for us.
That is the source of all of our service to God and relationship with others.
Otherwise we are working on our own effort
Love binds all of this together.
Don’t show compassion because “It the right things to do.”
Compassion comes from the love you have for them.
Humility from your love for God
Meekness because of your love for others.
Patience because you love God and others too much to quit.
Totally different kind of forgiveness.
“We are working past this conflict so we can just move on with our lives.”
No! We are working to restore or love for one another.
Have love for God and for others
Imagine ANY of the other traits or actions without love
Humility without love is self – gratifying
It only serves to make YOU feel better about yourself.