3:12 As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
3:13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against
another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so
you also must forgive.
3:14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything
together in perfect harmony.
3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which
indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish
one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing
psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
3:17 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.
Comments:
It seems this passage takes us beyond the "feel-good" spirit of the
"holidays" and moves us toward Christlike behavior. Christmas is a
season of love, joy, and peace, but Paul is calling his readers to
go beyond mere sentiment. What would our faith communities look like
if we took these words seriously?
Mel in NE
Just as newly baptized Christians in the early church were clothed
with white robes upon arising from the baptismal waters, so all who
have received God's gift of life in Jesus Christ are clothed with
those qualities that reflect the Lord's presence.
These verses paint the ideal of Christian life: together we are
clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, and gentleness. We are
called to focus on the word and live together in holy wisdom. Can
living in community ever be this good? How can Paul's promising
vision inspire us today?
v. 16 - "teach and admonish one another in all wisdom."
Easier said than done - and then we get into the web of wondering if
we're being "proud" or judgmental by even feeling the NEED to teach
or admonish someone else - recall Jesus' words about the speck in
the eye, among his other words about judging others.
Sally
Unsigned:
I saw "60 Minutes" the other night (I think it was 60 Minutes 2).
One of the guys interviewed composer John Rutter. Though he's often
criticized for being too saccharine, he has a certain "spirit" that
comes through in his music. I think it's quite good - and easy to
sing!!! But I do agree that it can be very saccharine ("When Icicles
Hang" excepted).
What was surprising to me from the interview is that he's not a
particularly religious man. It also surprised me to know that he has
lost a college-age son.
He explains, with a warm smile on his square jaw, that he loves
writing that sweet, Christmas music because (I may not have this
quote exactly right), "We can imagine the world as it should be."
Such is the miracle of Christmas.
Sally
Sorry - one last thought!!! (I think and work in small soundbytes)
v. 12 - "clothe yourself with compassion, meekness ..." What about
"put on the Gospel armor, that includes a sword."
Yes, I know that except for the sword, the armor is defensive - and,
in a way, includes compassion, meekness, etc. Nonetheless, do we not
sometimes mix these metaphors and presume that WE are meek and
compassionate - and suit up for battle to prove it?
Sally
Sally,
What a bummer -- I missed the John Rutter interview -- I LOVE his
music. I may be wrong totally, but I believe I remember that he
wrote his "Requiem" following his son's death. Hard to believe there
isn't religious feeling there. His setting of the 23rd Psalm is one
of my favorites all time.
mm in pa
v. 17 WHATEVER you do, in word or deed, do it in the name of the
Lord Jesus - giving thanks to God
hmmmm. I wonder if that includes calling the driver of the oversized
pickup truck riding 3 inches behind your rear bumper a "jerk?" I
wonder if that includes moaning and complaining about our
congregations (I've been doing plenty of that lately)? I wonder if
that includes watching TV instead of playing with my 6 year old? I
wonder if that includes spending money on fast food rather than
cooking?
There's something to Oprah's gratuity journal. (isn't that what she
called it?)
Sally in GA
I read in Brian Stoffrogen's exegetical notes on croosmarks.com that
the greek word "ethos" appears in the Gospel text for this Sunday -
it's the word our English word "ethics" comes from, but in Scripture
in generally refers to a "habit" or "tradition" not the moral or
ethical definition we tend to think of. So then that seems to make a
connection to this Colossians text, b/c here in Paul's section on
"ethics" to the Colossians, he puts out in very down to earth and
practical terms what must be our "habit" as Christians during this
Christmas season and throughout the year. It seems to be a good
connection, especially as we continue to celebrate Christmas and
will start a New YEar this coming week (New Year's Resolutions...).
Not sure I gave SToffrogen's theme justice here, but check out the
web site and click on Brian Stoffrogen, I believe it's on the second
page of his notes. just beginnging to think this through, rather
late in the week, but any thoughts or feedback or illustrations
would be greatly appreaciated Lisa on Cape Cod
Sally,
While swords can be offensive weapons they are also a defensive
"weapon" and is, in fact the most effective defensive weapon there
is as it blocks shots before they impact on the body.
Apollo Guy in Tx
Probably too late for anyone to read, unless you're a very desperate
preacher! In the Good News Translation (which is the 1992 second
edition of the Good News Bible), v. 16 reads in part, "Christ's
message in all its richness must live in your hearts." That rung a
bell with me. I remembered Ebenezer Scrooge's cry to the Ghost of
Christmas Yet to Come in the graveyard - "I will keep Christmas in
my heart all the year long." I'm titling my sermon, "Scrooge's
Promises, Grinch's Heart." These two characters have reputations as
mean-spirited, well, Scrooges. But they ought to stand as examples
for us of lives transformed by the Spirit of Christmas - not just a
one-day gesture of goodwill, but a life lived for love and kindness.
I think this is what Paul is talking about here. That attitude which
fills so many during the holidays should be our way of life in
Christ.
Forgive the late posting - I am wheelchair-bound and anticipating
foot surgery for a diabetic condition called Charcot joint. It
should respond well to surgery &rest, but the recovery will be long.
I crave your prayers. Once the surgery is done, I'll not be on the
web here for several weeks. Remember me. Ken in WV
