Three Minute Bible

March 14, 2025March 14, 2025

Colossians 3:16d – How to Live

Picture of Paul and companions walking along the road singing.

[Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly] … through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit,

Summary: When Paul teaches us about Christ, he describes his personal experience with Jesus.

Years ago, I had a key fob with the words, “I sing because I’m happy!” written on it. It made me smile because it was true. Singing and happiness go together.

Of course, you can sing about sad things, too. That is why we have the “blues.”

Actually, both are appropriate for praising God.

March 13, 2025March 13, 2025

Colossians 3:16c – Something to Think About

… as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…

Summary: Paul’s words on teaching and admonishing lead us to reflect on what the Lord’s church was intended to be and to meditate on what it might become in the future.

When was the last time you attended a church where the Statement of Beliefs page included these words, “Members are expected to teach and admonish one another with all wisdom”?

I’m guessing the answer is, “Never.”

March 12, 2025March 12, 2025

Colossians 3:16b – Trust Jesus

A modern interpretation of Saul on the road to Damascus when he is confronted by the Lord

[Let the message of Christ dwell among you] … richly …

Summary: Experiencing Christ involves separating the wheat from the chaff, or as we say these days, the signal from the noise. Paul wants you to succeed and experience Christ richly.

Is it true that salvation is all about who we know rather than what we know?

Putting the burden of faith on what we know is a common misconception. We know this is true because so many people do it!

March 11, 2025March 11, 2025

Colossians 3:16a – Got it?

Let the message of Christ dwell among you …

Summary: Reading the Bible is fun. Even the simplest little thing seems to open the door to endless insights about our God and his Word.

Each of these meditations is an invitation to join in our journey of exploration. We embrace God’s written Word at face value. We believe that God is real and that if he could make the world and everything in it, he could get a book published, too.

Coming at the Bible this way, we seek to avoid arguments about what people believe about the Bible, and instead, we look to understand and enjoy the message of Christ as it has been handed down over the centuries.

March 10, 2025March 10, 2025

Colossians 3:15c – Eight Clues

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?

March 8, 2025March 9, 2025

Colossians 3:15b – Doing What is Good

A picture of a dove in flight against a sparkling blue background.

[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.

March 7, 2025March 7, 2025

Colossians 3:15a – A Big Deal

A woman opens the door to let her dogs in.

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.

March 6, 2025March 6, 2025

Colossians 3:14 – Clothing for the Soul

A small child standing in the snow wearing lots of clothes

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.

March 5, 2025March 5, 2025

Colossians 3:13c – The High Bar

Picture of athlete running to pole vault.

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.

March 4, 2025March 5, 2025

Colossians 3:13b – The Big Ask

Picture of a man with his arms crossed scowling at the person next to them.

… 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.