Sunday, August 8, 2010 pm
CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? (6)
What to put on
Colossians 3:12-15
Paul is writing to brethren who are described as “the elect of
God, holy and beloved.”
Because of this he describes some attitudes they need to put on and
attitudes that will enhance their relationship with one another.
As with the beatitudes, we will notice how these qualities
promote unity and resolution of differences.
Again we are reminded that for TRUE unity to be achieved, ALL
parties involved need to possess proper attitudes.
a.
Before
noticing the attributes mentioned in the list, let us take a moment to
notice the context.
b.
Beginning
in 3:1 he has challenged them to “seek those things which are above.”
This is a foundational attitude
to TRUE Christian service.
Vs. 1 notes that we are to seek such things and then vs. 2 states
that we are to “set your mind” on those things.
There is a difference: Vs. 1 has to with our desire to FIND that
which is godly, while vs. 2 is a determined mindset to do what we have
found about godliness.
c.
The result will be conduct that
has put to death the man of sin and hidden your life in Christ (vs. 3).
Notice some of the conduct that
will result from this:
i.
You “put
to death” various ungodly conduct – fornication, uncleanness, passion,
evil desire, covetousness, etc.
There is a reminder that such was their former conduct, but they
had changed.
ii.
In Vs.
8-9 Paul notes more sinful conduct, focusing on our words.
We are to put off: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy
language, lying, etc.
iii.
Paul then
notices in vs. 10 that our ungodly conduct has be REPLACED with a
knowledge that has renewed according to the image of Christ.
iv.
Vs. 11 –
this knowledge will bring them all together (united) –knowing that their
nationality, former faith, language, etc. matters.
Instead, remember “But Christ is all and in all.”
d.
Paul
concludes in vs. 12 by describing some attitudes NECESSARY to be the
brethren we ought to be.
BUT before doing this, he says, “Therefore as the elect of God, holy and
beloved”
i.
Let us
pause to think about this when we consider our relationship to our
brethren.
ii.
We are
the ELECT of God! Chosen by Him apart from the rest of the world (cf.
Rom. 11:7, 2 Peter 1:10).
NOTE that this choosing is a result of our decision to conform to His
will. In other words, we
have ELECTED to surrender our lives to Him.
iii.
We are
beloved by Him! (Eph. 2:4-5, 1 John 4:16)
It is His people with whom God has a special love that the rest
of creation does not enjoy or understand.
iv.
We are
holy (consecrated, set apart for service to Him) (Eph. 1:4)
v.
One
thing that hinders true unity and efforts to achieve it is often a
failure to fully appreciate our shared relationship with God.
Quite often our mistreatment of one another is a direct result of
our failure to reverence God in our lives.
In our improper actions, we fail to consider the damage it does
to God’s cause and His body in a given location.
Thus we say ungodly things and behave with ungodly attitudes.
Conversely, when we DO comprehend and appreciate God, it leads us to
behave PROPERLY toward out brethren.
It compels us to put forth great efforts to develop and maintain
a proper relationship with one another.
vi.
I
believe this is what Paul is encouraging as he describes several
attributes we are to “put on”.
Let us notice a few of these.
a.
Tender mercies
-
i.
“Bowels
of mercies”-KJV, “a heart of compassion”-NASU – from two Greek words,
the first having literal reference to internal organs such as the
intestine or spleen. Paul’s
use of the term has to do with a deep seated emotion.
We would today as describe it as something that “comes from the
heart”.
The second word is a word that means pity or compassion (Thayer).
Kittel’s TDNT says the term means, “to be sympathetic.”
This is something associated with mercy (see lessons on Beatitudes in
this series).
ii.
If we
want to develop a strong bond with our brethren, we need to care about
them more than in a superficial way.
We need to have genuine compassion for them, especially as they
face difficulties. When they are struggling with problems, they need to
know that we care.
iii.
NOTICE I
said they NEED TO KNOW it.
There are many who do genuinely care about struggling brethren, but do
we take the time to THINK about how we show it to them?
Do we seek to empathize with them? Before we respond bluntly do
we take the time to try and understand what they are going through?
I am fearful that at times there are some who think the best way to show
you care is to take a “sledge hammer” and pound away at the problem (and
the person with the problem).
There may be times when such is needed, but the circumstances are
extreme. Most often we
should all use a little more COMPASSION in dealing with our brethren.
Consider Jude 22-23.
Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be kind
to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave you.”
1 Peter 3:8-9 says, “Finally, all
of you be of one mind, having
compassion for one another; love as brothers,
be tenderhearted, be
courteous, not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling,
but on the contrary blessing,
knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”
iv.
Think of
how much strong our relationships toward one another would be if we
would genuinely show this attribute toward one another, especially when
there are problems!
b.
Kindness –
i.
From a
Greek word (ST#5544) which means useful or profitable.
It involves gentleness and a benign disposition. In the English
language, when we speak of kindness, we mean that we are gentle and not
hateful toward others. It is a benevolent disposition.
That is also the point in Greek.
ii.
The term
is found descriptive of God’s goodness toward us (cf. Rom. 11:22 -3X).
It is an attribute of “the fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians
5:22.
1 Corinthians 13:4 describes love as suffering long and being kind.
A derivative of the same word.
iii.
When it
comes to the way we treat our brethren, do we show them due kindness?
Do we show them UNDUE kindness (that is kindness beyond what they
deserve)? The type of
kindness God showed toward us – cf. Titus 3:4.
I believe this to be an attitude most of us (if not all) need to work on
from time to time. It goes
without saying how such will lend toward a proper relationship with one
another. Think of this: Who
would you rather have as a friend?
Someone who treats you kindly or someone who is hateful and harsh
towards you? How do you want your SPOUSE to treat you?
c.
Humility –
i.
The KJV
uses the phrase, “humbleness of mind” and the ASV says, “lowliness”.
ii.
The term
is defined as, “Humility, lowliness of mind, the esteeming of ourselves
small, inasmuch as we are so, the correct estimate of ourselves.” (WS
Dictionary of NT)
Thayer described it as, “the having of a humble opinion of oneself; a
deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness.”
iii.
Philippians 2:3 says that with “lowliness of mind” we are to esteem
others better than ourselves.
1 Peter 5:5 calls for ALL of us to “be clothed with humility”.
Ephesians 4:2, it is the word “lowliness”.
(NOTE our continued reference to this text in dealing with
unity.)
iv.
Recall,
that in discussing the Beatitudes, we noted the first to be “Blessed are
the poor in Spirit” (Matt. 5:3).
While it is a different Greek word, the importance of humility
was discussed then.
v.
It is
IMPERATIVE to unity with our brethren that we not think too highly of
ourselves. There are so
many problems we witness because of arrogance and pride.
And so many passages that CONDEMN such an attitude.
When you have differences with your brethren, it is often a mistake to
approach it with the “I’m right and you’re wrong attitude”, especially
in dealing with the handling of some delicate situation.
I am reminded of what Paul told the Jewish brethren in Rome.
Romans 2:17-24. He
addressed their arrogant attitudes and condemned them.
Friends, there MAY have been some matters where they had a better
understanding (though the text indicates they were wrong in some
things), but that did NOT give them authority to be haughty in their
approach to brethren.
Even if you have the truth, a humble attitude can accomplish so much
more than self-righteousness.
d.
Meekness
–
i.
The word
is descriptive of gentle and tender attitude. We discussed this in
dealing with the Beatitudes (cf. Matt. 5:5).
In that lesson we noted it does not mean one is cowardly, but
simply gentle in dealing with others.
ii.
What we
said in that lesson about this attitude in producing unity still applies
here: Our personal meek attitude will keep us in check as we take on
whatever challenges are before us.
e.
Longsuffering,–
i.
“A state
of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without
complaint or irritation.” (Louw & Nida); “Forbearance, long-suffering,
self-restraint before proceeding to action.
The quality of a person who is able to avenge himself yet
refrains from doing so.” (WS Dictionary NT)
ii.
Found in
many lists of scripture including the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)
and Ephesians 4:2, our text calling for unity.
Derivative of same word found in 1 Cor. 13:4.
iii.
I know
that in each of these lessons I continually stress how EVERYONE needs to
have a proper attitude to achieve unity.
Sadly, we know that such is NOT going to be the reality.
HOWEVER, that does not excuse ME from doing all that I can to
have a proper attitude in all things.
When it comes to problem resolution, how much will I endure if it
means unity? How much will
I give up?
There are so many passages that challenge us to not think about
ourselves (cf. Phil. 2:3-4, Rom. 12:3, etc.).
I cannot help but think of the problems in congregations that go
unsolved or are made worse because we are waiting for the other person
to “do the right thing.”
We need to reason that if I do the right thing and have the right
attitude, at least HALF of the problem will be resolved.
So again I ask, for the sake of unity, HOW MUCH WILL I ENDURE
and sacrifice?
f.
Bearing with one another –
i.
KJV, ASV
says, “Forbearing one another”.
The term means, “to hold up or back from falling.”
It is a word that can deal with support for one another, but more
than that of persons, it means, “to bear with, have patience with in
regard to the errors and weaknesses of anyone.” (WS Dictionary)
ii.
The term
is found in passages such as Ephesians 4:2, “with
all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one
another in love”
Heb. 13:22, “Brethren, bear with
the word of exhortation.”
2 Tim. 4:3, “For the time will
come when they will not endure
sound doctrine…”
iii.
Having
described our meek attitudes and our longsuffering, this word is taking
it a step further and specifically calling for us to with patience,
tolerate the weaknesses and idiosyncrasies of our brethren.
We honestly should NOT let the little things of others (i.e. pet
peeves) get to us. I will
guarantee, there are some who see such things in you and I as well.
This is actually a difficult thing to do, as it is often the
little things that wear on us the most.
Therefore, DON’T make a big deal out of the little things others
do (unless there is spiritual danger in it).
That is what Paul was dealing with in Romans 15:1, “We
then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak.”
Another challenge is when something serious appears to keep from
bringing the little things into the already escalating problems.
g.
Forgiving one another
–
i.
The
subject of forgiveness is a lesson within itself.
In the ideal world (and the ideal church) there would be no need
for forgiveness, because we would all treat each other properly all the
time. But we live in the
real world and the church is full of human beings that make mistakes and
sometimes just do the wrong thing.
Without thinking or in a heated moment (and sometimes
deliberately) we hurt each other.
Sometimes the hurts are deep and the wounds are real.
It is then the forgiveness becomes the real challenge.
ii.
Friends,
NEVER underestimate the importance of forgiveness!
Matthew 6:14,15; 18:21,22 & 35;
James 2:13, etc.
iii.
Do we
REALLY want to forgive our brother? Sometimes we say we do, but what do
our actions demonstrate?
Are we making it as easy as possible for our brother who has wronged us
to come to us? Are we
placing conditions upon forgiveness?
Is our conduct self-serving rather than for the good of the
congregation? What are we
willing to give up so that we can forgive others and make it easier for
them to seek forgiveness?
iv.
THOUGHT:
Sometimes the way we communicate with one another leaves the impression
we are not really interested in forgiveness unless they bow to us.
This is sometimes expressed in mail, over the phone, email, etc.
h.
Above all these things, put on love
–
i.
The word
here for love is agape which means, Caring enough to sacrifice for what
is best. WS Dictionary
describes the word as, “affectionate regard, goodwill, benevolence.”
ii.
It is
best described in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8.
It is always found either at the beginning or end of a list.
It is the pinnacle of our attitude toward resolution.
How much you are willing to do and endure correlates directly to
how much you love your brethren.
iii.
Friends,
if we do not understand this love and if we do not apply it toward our
brethren, we will be much less likely to resolve our differences.
We are told this in no uncertain terms.
Consider 1 John 4:20-21.
Bear in mind, that love is DEMONSTRATED.
1 John 4:11 – if God loved us, we also ought to love one another.
iv.
This love
for our brethren will influence our forgiveness, longsuffering,
kindness, tender mercies, bearing with one another, meekness and every
other characteristic necessary to seek and promote brotherly behavior.
And thus we see another passage that emphasizes the proper
attitudes that lend toward unity.
Let us use weigh these things as we do all of God’s word.
And let us strive to have the relationship with one another God
expects. At some point,
this relationship is going to be tested.
Rather than dismissing these attributes, resolve to apply them,
even if you brother doesn’t.
Who knows what this will accomplish.
But regardless of the outcome, you can know that you have done
what you could do. And that
is all God expects from us.
Think about it. More to
come about our attitudes in our next lesson.