THE CHURCH LIVING IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY

Colossians 3:10-17 English Standard Version

...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 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.  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 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. 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.

Why don’t our churches look like this?

The Problem of preferences (Col. 3:11)

Prejudice

In the church there should be no barriers of nationality, race, education level, social standing, wealth, gender, religion, or power

Pragmatism

Productivity

Pride

The Placement of new life (Col. 3:10)

Permanent

Progressive

Christ is all, and is in all. For all these groups of people, Christ is everything. He “is all” they need for redemption and unity. He is central and brings believers together. Christ is “in all”; he dwells in all believers so there can be no division, no prejudice. In others words, every believer is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) with a new self (3:10) by the power of Christ’s indwelling Holy Spirit. In Christ, human distinctions are removed. Such distinctions are no problem for him, so they should be no problem for us. Everyone is equal at the Cross. Christ broke down all barriers; he accepts all who come to him. Believers, as Christ’s body, must do the same. Nothing should divide believers; nothing should keep them from experiencing unity.

The Perspective that transforms (Col. 3:12a)

We are Picked (Chosen)

We are Purified (Holy)

We are Precious (Beloved)

The Perfection of character (Col. 3:12b-14)

Compassion

Kindness

Humility

Meekness

Patience

Forbearance

Forgiveness

Love

The Priorities that unite (Col. 3:14-17)

Peace

Personal application of truth

Practical instruction in wisdom

Passionate worship

Partnership