Word for Today, Mon, 2 Apr 2001: Putting On The Right Clothes

#1 · April 2, 2001, 3:17 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on April 2, 2001, 3:17 pm
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

This weekend at the local church I attend, the pastor shared with
us a message from Colossians 3, verses 1-17. His focus was on
our church. We are in the midst of change, and have called a new
senior pastor to lead us. This pastor was sharing some words
to help us think about how we can benefit from the changes that
are coming.

In his message, the pastor mentioned that the apostle Paul uses
couplets, (groups of two ideas) to get his point across. This is
not immediately obvious if you look at this passage as it reads
in most modern translations, but if you were to examine the
original manuscripts, that might be a bit more obvious. In any
case, the point makes sense. Let's try to pair Paul's list,
starting with the things he encourages us to "clothe" ourselves
with:

compassion --> kindness
humility --> gentleness
patience --> Bear with each other (forebearance)
forgive --> love

Note how taking on these characteristics leads to unity among
each other, a peace unlike any other peace (the peace of Christ),
leading to a thankful attitude.

Can you see how these things are useful in more places than a
church that is undergoing change? Wouldn't these same things be
useful at work? At home? In all of your relationships?

I don't know about you, but I can do these things some of the
time, but if I rely only on my own ways (or even primarily on my
own ways) I get myself into trouble, (and I have done that many
times in the past).

If you are wondering how to make your life more useful, think
about all of these things, then pray about them. Spend some
quiet time, just between you and God, and ask Him to reveal areas
in your life where you can grow.

For me, I have found that my sense of purpose and value comes
from knowing my right place, and that is to rely, not on my own
thoughts and ways, but to look to God for everything. When I
remember that principle, I no longer find myself getting into
trouble, and a deep inner peace replaces the former turmoil. Do
you know what I mean?

Dear Lord,

It is my heart's desire to set my mind, not on the things around
me, which attempt to compete with Your ways, which are right and
true. As I struggle with these things, help me to remember that
my struggles are not with those around me, but with deeper
spiritual issues. I desire to surrender all of those things to
Your control, remembering that it is the Lord Jesus Christ whom I
serve, and not the other spiritual forces, nor the things around
me. Thank You for helping me apply these words every day to the
attitudes in my heart, so that I can respond in a manner than
honors You. For those times where I fall short, I ask that You
would reveal them to me, so that I may confess them, turn away
from them, find healing, and offer myself once again to You.
Amen.

Brother Brian

Colossians 3

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set
your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right
hand of God.

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is your [1] life, appears, then you also will
appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly
nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and
greed, which is idolatry.

6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. [2]

7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these:
anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old
self with its practices

10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in
knowledge in the image of its Creator.

11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in
all.

12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness
and patience.

13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may
have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all
together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members
of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and
admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms,
hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
him.

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases
the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become
discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it,
not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but
with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working
for the Lord, not for men,

24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the
Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there
is no favoritism.

[4] Some manuscripts our

[6] Some early manuscripts coming on those who are disobedient

The Bible Gateway

Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society..
All rights reserved.
Gospel Communications Network Online Christian Resources.
A Ministry of Gospel Communications, Inc.
bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?passage=Colossians+3&version=NIV&showfn=yes&showxref=yes&language=english

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/
The Rules Have Changed...Get Paid to Surf the Web!
www.alladvantage.com/home.asp?refid=BKU-690

__________________________________________________
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Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

This weekend at the local church I attend, the pastor shared with
us a message from Colossians 3, verses 1-17. His focus was on
our church. We are in the midst of change, and have called a new
senior pastor to lead us. This pastor was sharing some words
to help us think about how we can benefit from the changes that
are coming.

In his message, the pastor mentioned that the apostle Paul uses
couplets, (groups of two ideas) to get his point across. This is
not immediately obvious if you look at this passage as it reads
in most modern translations, but if you were to examine the
original manuscripts, that might be a bit more obvious. In any
case, the point makes sense. Let's try to pair Paul's list,
starting with the things he encourages us to "clothe" ourselves
with:

compassion --> kindness
humility --> gentleness
patience --> Bear with each other (forebearance)
forgive --> love

Note how taking on these characteristics leads to unity among
each other, a peace unlike any other peace (the peace of Christ),
leading to a thankful attitude.

Can you see how these things are useful in more places than a
church that is undergoing change? Wouldn't these same things be
useful at work? At home? In all of your relationships?

I don't know about you, but I can do these things some of the
time, but if I rely only on my own ways (or even primarily on my
own ways) I get myself into trouble, (and I have done that many
times in the past).

If you are wondering how to make your life more useful, think
about all of these things, then pray about them. Spend some
quiet time, just between you and God, and ask Him to reveal areas
in your life where you can grow.

For me, I have found that my sense of purpose and value comes
from knowing my right place, and that is to rely, not on my own
thoughts and ways, but to look to God for everything. When I
remember that principle, I no longer find myself getting into
trouble, and a deep inner peace replaces the former turmoil. Do
you know what I mean?

Dear Lord,

It is my heart's desire to set my mind, not on the things around
me, which attempt to compete with Your ways, which are right and
true. As I struggle with these things, help me to remember that
my struggles are not with those around me, but with deeper
spiritual issues. I desire to surrender all of those things to
Your control, remembering that it is the Lord Jesus Christ whom I
serve, and not the other spiritual forces, nor the things around
me. Thank You for helping me apply these words every day to the
attitudes in my heart, so that I can respond in a manner than
honors You. For those times where I fall short, I ask that You
would reveal them to me, so that I may confess them, turn away
from them, find healing, and offer myself once again to You.
Amen.

Brother Brian

Colossians 3

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set
your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right
hand of God.

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is your [1] life, appears, then you also will
appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly
nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and
greed, which is idolatry.

6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. [2]

7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these:
anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old
self with its practices

10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in
knowledge in the image of its Creator.

11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in
all.

12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness
and patience.

13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may
have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all
together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members
of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and
admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms,
hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
him.

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases
the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become
discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it,
not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but
with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working
for the Lord, not for men,

24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the
Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there
is no favoritism.

[4] Some manuscripts our

[6] Some early manuscripts coming on those who are disobedient

The Bible Gateway

Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society..
All rights reserved.
Gospel Communications Network Online Christian Resources.
A Ministry of Gospel Communications, Inc.
bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?passage=Colossians+3&version=NIV&showfn=yes&showxref=yes&language=english

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
The Rules Have Changed...Get Paid to Surf the Web!
http://www.alladvantage.com/home.asp?refid=BKU-690

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
personal.mail.yahoo.com/?.refer=text