Colossians 3:12-17 ONE ANOTHER When Christ is all, and in all to the people of God, it should be perfectly normal for us to put on the graces that characterize Him as we relate daily to those around us. These Christian graces harmonize the unity of the Lord's people because it should be the practice of us all to have deliberately put them on as a wardrobe of a righteous person who is holy and beloved. We are motivated to walk in the newness of life because of the grace of Christ directed right to us whom God has chosen, set apart for God, loved by God, and forgiven by God. Now our strategy for daily living for God is to live godly in a Christ-like way. Gnosticism never does that for one's character.
Distinctions in the church are not made on the basis of one's culture, nationality, or race; but by God-given gifts for the benefit of all that harmonizes the function of the body. By God's electing grace, He made the sovereign decision to save His people, not to damn people to a lost eternity. The choice then is made by each individual as to whether they accept or reject the salvation God in grace has provided. Believers are picked out by God to represent what He wants people to be like. He knows who we are, and we are motivated by His grace to display this grace to others. We have been positionally set apart by Him and called "holy and beloved." Now the charge is to be set apart in a practical way for God.
There are a number of things we have been blessed with that promote this motivation to be from the heart. Our affections [v.2], our heart's desire, save us from worldliness when they are set on things above. Peace in the heart [v.15] will save us from worry. Our trust is in the One who made peace and has given it to us. When the Word of God [v.16] is in the heart, we are saved from ignorance because we are learning from the Source of the highest wisdom and infinite knowledge. Grace in the heart [v.16] will save us from pride because we receive everything from Him through whom "all blessings flow." Singleness of heart [v.22] will save us from trying to serve two masters. It is either God or mammon, not both. When this heart-work is intact, we will be joyful [v.16], thankful [v.17], and submissive [v.17], people God intends us to be. By doing every service from the heart [v.23], we will not try to please men but God.
A heart of compassion (bowels of mercies) initiates a Christ-like attitude and ends with conscious forgiveness because we have been forgiven by God ourselves. There is an order in godly living that demonstrates grace to a watching world through the lives of the people of God. Compassion leads to kindness, doing good for others with genuine affection and goodwill - not just as a duty. Humbleness of mind is not just a physical position we take but a conscious awareness of who we really are that is seen in a lowly attitude, as opposed to arrogance. The strength of character to deny oneself and not be self-assertive is meekness. There is an absence of pride, and any power we might have is under control. To endure provocation with patience is long-suffering (a long temper). Accepting people the way they are, and putting up with their idiosyncrasies, is the attitude of forbearance without taking offense. Holding something against another and not letting it go is the opposite of forgiveness. God forgives those who confess and forsake their sin. So must we.
Surrounding all of these gracious characteristics is the binding together of the power of love. When we put on love as a garment or a band that holds all of these attributes together, we will be in a position for the peace of Christ to be the ruling authority, the umpire, of our lives. Applying the principles of Christian living in a practical way is consistent with the new nature we have been given. Everything God wants us to be and use in our lives is evidenced in the life of our Lord. When we use those characteristics in life, that is the peace of Christ at work. This is contrasted by discord, disorder, disharmony, and disobedience that brings a storm among God's people. This is what Gnosticism produces. When peace rules, we can accept differences and still work to meet the need of others. In this way, we avoid conflicts because our guidance is from Christ. Peace and love are both involved in maintaining the unity of those who share in common their life in Christ. Just to say, "I had peace about it," doesn't make a decision right. Peace with others is also needed to have sufficient evidence of the will of God in a matter. The peace of Christ is always available. Do I let it rule?
There is an order in the practical outworking of our Christian faith in everyday life. Grace is the origin of this new life, and peace is the experience of it. Thankfulness is the result. To bring this all about, we need the word of Christ to dwell in us in its fullness. It must be claimed personally for us to be what we should be. When the word dwells in us, it is permanently present and occupies the place of ownership, not as a visitor. It enhances and fills our lives with the good things of God. In a thankful person, the expressions of gratitude and resulting peace are the best way our fellowship is maintained. When we lose that peace, we need to stop and correct the wrong by applying the word of God to the heart. Praise, worship, and fresh expressions of thanks lead us to heartfelt singing. Singing with grace in our hearts is especially appreciated by others as well as the Lord and ourselves. The outward expression of inward appreciation gives comfort and contentment to the heart, joy to the soul, and a song on the lips. By such expressions of gratitude, we avoid discontentment and are motivated to take inventory of all the blessings we have received and to declare God’s goodness openly.
"Word and deed" covers every area of our outward life. When we are consciously living before the Lord daily, we can best honor Him, serve Him, obey Him, and represent Him. Things done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ - the name of Christ, testify to the fact that we belong to Him and are identified by Him. We are under His authority. We are not "free-lances" with the right to act in our own authority. Praise is the natural outcome that joins the people of God together in common thoughts and healing hearts that testify to the truth experienced. Saintly activity identifies us with one another and for those who do not know or love our Lord Jesus Christ.