Day 22 - Church, what if we lived like this? (Col 3:11-13)

¹¹ Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 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. Colossians 3:11-13

“Here”….some versions say, “a renewal in which” there is “not” (no distinction between)…

Paul has been laying on some pretty heavy doctrine and truths. Personally, I love the simplicity in these verses today. True to Paul, he points to the foundation for anything that follows:  Christ is all, Christ is in all. God’s eternal purpose. God’s plan of salvation. Within us. In our external actions.

In Christ, as believers, we are one unified body. No differences based on class, country, conditions, circumstances. We are all on one level without distinction. All are welcome and entitled to the same privileges. We lay aside all distinctions and are known only as friend, brother, sister.

Paul gives examples of sharp wordly distinctions of his time. Greek and Jew.  Circumcised and uncircumcised. Slave and free. Barbarian and Scythian…thought of as uncivilized, wild savages, unpolished. Though vastly different and looked down upon by one another, now there is NO DIFFERENCE IN CHRIST. Today we could certainly add a few more to the list. I started to go there, but I think I’ll just stick to enjoying the thought of no difference rather than pointing out more.

We take off the old. Stripped of all worldly cultural labels and identities. But we can’t stay naked, simply stripped of the old. No, we must put something else on, lest someone do it for us or to us. We put on our identity in Christ. And with this new self, everything looks different.

Eklektos is the word translated “chosen”, meaning called out ones. The Greek word “eklesia” or “church” comes from this word. We are the Church and there are certain characteristics associated with chosen, called out, holy, beloved ones. Characteristics we put on as a Church and as individual church members. As you read over them, think what a difference Christians could make in this world if we lived this well. It blows my mind and give me so much hope!

Compassionate hearts – concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others…not just external, go-through-the-motion compassion, but compassionate hearts. An internal stirring of emotions for others.

Kindness – of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, considerate, helpful; free from all that is harsh, rough, bitter.

Humility – a proper evaluation of self, esteeming others more highly, Christ (not self) sufficiency. CS Lewis says, “humility isn’t thinking less of ourselves, it is thinking of ourselves less.”

Meekness – gentleness in some translations. It isn’t a mild mannered wimpiness, but rather strength under submission. Strong, measured control…a tamed lion.

Patience – the Greek word is translated “long-tempered”…the opposite of a short fuse. Tolerating the faults, quirks, differences, imperfections of others.

Bearing with one another – hold up, support. We are to be there for one another. Life is hard. We need our friends to support us and often to hold us up when we can’t on our own.

Forgiveness – forgiveness as God has forgiven us. That is a tall charge. Not holding grudges, harboring bitterness and resentment, no condemnation or throwing it in our face. True forgiveness.

And Paul even throws in there, “if anyone has a complaint against another.” The reality is, we will in this life. We will have disagreements, different opinions, personalities that rub us the wrong way. But despite that, we can forgive and display these characteristics.

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10

I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. John 17:23

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! Psalm 133:1

Unity in the church is a big deal to God. The only way to achieve it is to put on these characteristics.

Look back at the list...compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, bearing with one another, forgiveness. These are all the characteristics displayed by Jesus when He walked the earth. He provided the perfect example of how to live.

What if we took God seriously and put these things on? Church, let’s do it. Let’s display the different kind of people that we have the capacity and instructions to be. God, revive our hearts and our lives to live this way.