Word@Work Col34 - Colossians 3:13-14
Published: Fri, 07/08/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
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Colossians 3:13-14 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (NIV)
Human relationships tend to return like for like. When people love you, you love them; and those who hate you are hated in return. Using the analogy of family clothes or uniform, Paul says that our outward appearance should be like that of God and all His family. He is patient, very patient. He does not get angry quickly. That does not mean that God is never angry, but that He withholds His judgement, waiting for sinners to come to repentance. When they do, He is forgiving, completely forgiving.
Love is not a feeling, it is an action of self-giving. Christ gave Himself for the world but only those who believe and repent are able to receive His love. He gave Himself even for those who reject Him. He is patient and is waiting for them to repent so that they can receive His love. In the same way, we may need to wait a long time for some people to repent, but that is what we long for - not that they will be condemned.
That sort of love holds the Christian together, and holds whole fellowships together. As 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." That is the 'family uniform' of heaven. It is our responsibility to put it on and wear it every day.
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Thank You that Jesus has shown us how to live and love others. Please forgive me when I revert to old worldly ways of relating and help me to see how patient You have been with me, and how forgiving. May I use the example of Jesus as my personal guide; His patience as the pattern for my patience and His love as the pattern for my love. In His Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Human relationships tend to return like for like. When people love you, you love them; and those who hate you are hated in return. Using the analogy of family clothes or uniform, Paul says that our outward appearance should be like that of God and all His family. He is patient, very patient. He does not get angry quickly. That does not mean that God is never angry, but that He withholds His judgement, waiting for sinners to come to repentance. When they do, He is forgiving, completely forgiving.
Love is not a feeling, it is an action of self-giving. Christ gave Himself for the world but only those who believe and repent are able to receive His love. He gave Himself even for those who reject Him. He is patient and is waiting for them to repent so that they can receive His love. In the same way, we may need to wait a long time for some people to repent, but that is what we long for - not that they will be condemned.
That sort of love holds the Christian together, and holds whole fellowships together. As 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." That is the 'family uniform' of heaven. It is our responsibility to put it on and wear it every day.
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Thank You that Jesus has shown us how to live and love others. Please forgive me when I revert to old worldly ways of relating and help me to see how patient You have been with me, and how forgiving. May I use the example of Jesus as my personal guide; His patience as the pattern for my patience and His love as the pattern for my love. In His Name. Amen.
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