Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Jesus Christ Who Restores

 Colossians 3:12-17

Colossians 3:12-17 is a positive parallel to the negative exhortations that were written in the first eleven verses of this chapter. From admonishing of all earthly desires, St. Paul transitions in the latter half of this chapter to remind the church at Colossae that they are “God’s people, holy and dearly loved” (verse 12). However, having the title alone is not enough; there are certain virtues that every believer is required to have. They are as follows: compassion, knowledge, humility, gentleness, and patience. The five virtues are manifested in the gospel of Christ from His humble birth to His forbearance towards His creation, while being accused and ultimately, nailed on the cross. 
How pleasant would it be if, as a community, we were to create harmony among ourselves by adhering to these virtues everywhere we go 24/7? Regrettably, our inclination towards sin prevents us from emulating these qualities perfectly. Despite our flaws, verse 14 reveals a spiritual quality that supersedes all other virtues: agape. Unlike secular love, which is bound by carnal limitations, agape represents Christ’s selfless, ever flowing love for us being shared with one another. Attaining such love is only made possible through the Risen Lamb, who purchased us from the bondage of sin and reconnected us with the Father. In addition, the peace of Christ, as written in verse 15, entails us to no longer burden ourselves with the discomforts that are around us, but to surrender all things to our Father in heaven and find comfort Him. 
Being that the barriers of the law no longer separate us, let us come together as Christ’s beloved and receive His message as a melody in our hearts. Let us live out God’s message by teaching and admonishing one another with His love and wisdom. May our thoughts and our actions be as pleasing to God own heart as the psalms that David once sang. Lastly, as Paul had written in verse 17, let us do all things “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”


Prayer

May our acts of love be a blessing to others, and a delightful melody to your ears. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Our life’s melodies begin with controlling our heart through God, who directs and perfects all things.


Mr. Lennie Thomas
Tabor Mar Thoma Church, NY

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