Colossians 3:1-4 The Message
He Is Your Life
3 1-2 So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.
3-4 Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.
12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
It is no secret that there seem to be greater divisions today than at any other time in our lives.
And those divisions are not just political – although political disagreements can certainly create a wide divide.
Perhaps they believe in a different faith or denomination.
Perhaps they’re agnostic or even an atheist.
And let’s remember – believers or not, they may live their lives in a way that you don’t agree with.
How many have experienced some type of divide with family because of something you believe that they disagree with?
Yeah, me too.
But it is important that we not let those detachments, those separations, come from us.
We must set aside any disagreements or disputes, political or otherwise.
When these divisions come – as they may – it is important that we choose to let the most important thing be the most important thing in our relationship. Love.
By that, I mean love for others that reflects the light of Christ in a dark world.
We are called to love our neighbors, and our “neighbors” include family – even the difficult ones.
You may think that what they believe is crazy – yet still love them.
You might wonder how in the world they have come to such a conclusion – yet still love them.
Please remember, it is not ours to win every argument – it is ours to model love, grace, patience, and humility in our interactions.
Not every disagreement must be debated.
Let us each remember there will be times to remain silent and times to speak.
There will always be times when direct, hardcore Gospel truth is necessary.
If someone sincerely asks challenging difficult theological questions –
“…be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:15-16)
Other times, a family member may seek guidance.
However, when your own intentional silence would communicate approval of something false, harmful, or sinful, or untrue about the Lord’s teaching, do not be afraid to pick up your bible speak up. Gently, in love and grace and with truth.
Sometimes, when you know ahead of time that disagreements may arise with someone you’ll be seeing, the wise choice is to remain silent.
To wait and carefully listen.
And if they comment – ignore it if you can.
Speak only when the truth is absolutely needed, or if someone is asking.
But answer with the Gospel with gentleness and humility whenever possible– that does not mean with weakness, recalling this God spoken ancient truth;
Jeremiah 23:28-29 Christian Standard Bible
28 The prophet who has only a dream should recount the dream, but the one who has my word should speak my word truthfully, for what is straw compared to grain?”—this is the Lord’s declaration. 29 “Is not my word like fire”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and like a hammer that pulverizes rock?
Jeremiah 23:29 says, “Is not my word like fire… and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”
It describes God’s word as powerful—able to burn and to shatter, pulverize, rock hardened things.
This verse emphasizes the overwhelming power, effectiveness of God’s word.
| Fire | Represents purification and passion. It signifies how God’s word can ignite change and bring life. It can also burn away impurities, similar to how fire refines gold. |
| Hammer | Symbolizes strength and force. It illustrates how God’s word can break through sin hardened hearts and stubbornness, penetrating deeply to reveal true thoughts and intentions. |
Contextual Significance
- Power of God’s Word: The imagery of fire and a sledge hammer highlights the transformative nature of God’s message. It can warm hearts, it can ignite hearts with Holy Spirit fire, break down barriers, making it a tool for spiritual renewal.
Jeremiah 23:29 serves as a much needed, too often overlooked reminder of the dynamic and deep impactful nature of God’s word, capable of both refining and breaking, and ultimately, guiding believers towards truth and righteousness.
In the absence, poorly studied, minimally prayed, weakened use of the Gospel;
If we are not engaged by God’s direct intercession, can we, anyone otherwise avoid making others feel as if they are being excluded or judged in any way?
1 John 4:18-20 Christian Standard Bible
18 There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear,(A) because fear involves punishment.[a] So the one who fears is not complete in love.(B) 19 We love[b] because he first loved us.(C) 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister,(D) he is a liar.(E) For the person who does not love his brother or sister(F) whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.[c]
Can we, or anyone show them love without condoning or condemning their choices – after all, like Jesus dying on the cross for us, can we love someone without agreeing with, approving of every decision they make, belief they have?
Many good people can believe differently, and we can respect people’s right to believe as they choose. Kindness and love are not acceptance of their beliefs.
Families have indeed experienced a great many catastrophic disagreements throughout history: different opinions, personalities, life choices, priorities.
Disagreement does not have to result in catastrophic division, disassociation.
Believers can learn to communicate, navigate our differences with respect, grace, and wisdom. Our responsibility is faithfulness – not control or victory.
Let us please remember that while truth absolutely matters, conversion and transformation ultimately belong to God. We can never argue someone into saving faith. We must leave the work of faith in the hands of the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 55:8-11 Christian Standard Bible
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways.”
This is the Lord’s declaration.
9 “For as heaven is higher than earth,(A)
so my ways are higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For just as rain and snow fall from heaven
and do not return there
without saturating the earth
and making it germinate and sprout,
and providing seed to sow
and food to eat,(B)
11 so my word that comes from my mouth
will not return to me empty,
but it will accomplish what I please
and will prosper in what I send it to do.”(C)
THREE ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS TO MEDITATE UPON
- Actively listen – do not just simply prepare for the next thing you want to say, waiting for your time to speak. Hear what they have to say. “Be slow to speak and quick to listen.” (James 1:19)
- Demonstrate kindness and remain humble – show visible respect for what they believe, even if you vehemently disagree. Try to understand why they believe as they do.
- Pray – Pray to the Lord to guide you and to give you the words He would have you say. And pray that he would put a guard over your mouth. (Psalm 141:3)
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit ….
Praying ….
Psalm 141 Complete Jewish Bible
141 (0) A psalm of David:
(1) Adonai, I have called you; come to me quickly!
Listen to my plea when I call to you.
2 Let my prayer be like incense set before you,
my uplifted hands like an evening sacrifice.
3 Set a guard, Adonai, over my mouth;
keep watch at the door of my lips.
4 Don’t let my heart turn to anything evil
or allow me to act wickedly
with men who are evildoers;
keep me from eating their delicacies.
5 Let the righteous strike me, let him correct me;
it will be an act of love.
Let my head not refuse such choice oil,
for I will keep on praying about their wickedness.
6 When their rulers are thrown down from the cliff,
[the wicked] will hear that my words were fitting.
7 As when one plows and breaks the ground into clods,
our bones are strewn at the mouth of Sh’ol.
8 For my eyes, Adonai, Adonai, are on you;
in you I take refuge; don’t pour out my life.
9 Keep me from the trap they have set for me,
from the snares of evildoers.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I pass by in safety.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
