Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
And be thankful.
Summary: When Paul tells us to be thankful, it is easy to misunderstand his message. While there are many reasons to thank God in our daily lives, Paul’s list of eight reasons to be thankful helps us focus on what is really important.
In addition to all the things Paul has listed, clothing ourselves with virtues and letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, he adds this: “And be thankful.”
Thankful for what?
Continue reading “Colossians 3:15c – Eight Clues”
[Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,] since as members of one body you were called to peace.
Summary: Peace in the body of Christ is a beautiful thing. It is also a key indicator of spiritual wellbeing.
There is a reason Paul mentions God’s peace in our hearts first. Paul’s thoughts are racing ahead to the image of Christ’s body that Jesus has revealed to him (Galatians 1:12).
Think, for a moment, about the “body of Christ.” It is people. That is what the “body of Christ” is—just people.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:15b – Doing What is Good”
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts …
Summary: Paul shows us how to solve one of life’s greatest challenges, a lack of peace. All we need is Jesus.
For some reason, this partial passage seems to cry out for a closer look, word by word. Let’s begin with the word “Let …”
In English, the word “let” is passive. When we “let” something happen, we “allow” it to take place. For example, if I “let the dog in,” I would open the door so the dog can come in. I don’t go out and chase the dog so I can drag it into the house — at least not in this situation.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:15a – A Big Deal”
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Summary: Clothing protects the body, covers the parts that need covering, and keeps us warm. Spiritual clothing is similar but provides a whole different kind of protection.
How many layers of clothing do you normally wear? For most people, “two or three” is probably a typical answer. Sometimes, going outside in cold weather might require a few more layers, but rarely does it add up to six or seven layers.
When Paul encourages us believers to be clothed in virtue, he uses clothing for our bodies as a metaphor for the clothing we need for our souls.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:14 – Clothing for the Soul”
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Summary: Forgiving as the Lord forgives, sets the bar fairly high. Fortunately, Jesus shows us how it is done.
”I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
— John 13:15
The quote above is Jesus speaking. The scene was the last supper before he was crucified. It was the Passover meal, the celebration of God’s final curse on the Egyptians before Pharaoh finally let Moses lead the Israelites out.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:13c – The High Bar”
… and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.
Summary: When the Bible talks about forgiveness, it touches a nerve people can relate to.
Suddenly, although it should not come as a surprise, we turn the corner of Paul’s thinking and come face to face with the Big Ask.
Paul has been instructing us about God’s love for us as his chosen people. God wants us to clothe ourselves with qualities that reflect God’s love; compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:13b – The Big Ask”
Bear with each other …
Summary: Bearing with others means we suffer with them and put up with their differences.
What does it mean to “bear” with someone?
The word “bear,” like most words, has more than one use depending on context. What sets it apart, however, is the number of ways this word can be understood. It is extremely versatile!
Continue reading “Colossians 3:13 – Versatility “
…[clothe yourselves with] … patience.
Summary: Patience is an interesting word. It evokes looking at the clock waiting for our favorite TV show to start, but it is so much more than that.
Finally, we come to the end of the train! Like sitting in your car at a railroad crossing waiting for the endless stream of boxcars to file by. You have patiently waited until we finally get to the last rail car; a car called “Patience.”
What do you think of when you see that word? Does the word “suffering” come to mind?
Continue reading “Colossians 3:12g – A Car Called Patience”
…[clothe yourselves with] … gentleness …
Summary: When Paul asks us to put on “gentleness,” he is really suggesting a transformation of the heart.
Our Lord Jesus is …
What kind of person was Jesus while he walked the earth? Would you say he was “gentle?”
How about “meek?” Would you say Jesus was meek?
Continue reading “Colossians 3:12f – Relative Power”
…[clothe yourselves with] … humility …
Summary: In the grand scheme of things, understanding a word like “humility” requires us to have an understanding of how we measure our own self-importance.
When I think of humility, I always think of Moses. The Bible says that Moses was “a very humble man.” It goes on to say that he was “more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth” (Number 12:3).
At first glance, that statement sounds oxymoronic.
We assume the first five books of the Bible are written by Moses, so how could he claim to be “more humble than anyone else” and still be humble?
Continue reading “Colossians 3:12e – Something to Remember”