Today’s Reading: Colossians 3
In this letter from Paul to the Colossians, Paul is writing to a church that is going through a transition. The church has been established by one of Paul’s friend and disciple. In this established church, there is division. As is the case with the church and family there is going to be some high and low points. There will be celebrations and confrontations. There will be unity and division, but with communication and understanding all of the differences can be seen and acknowledged.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Colossians 3:1-2 ESV
The strain in the church of the Colossians is due to two leaders coming from different backgrounds and attempting to share the gospel of Christ with the church. Both have the common goal, but different ways of communicating. One of the leaders comes from the traditional Jewish background and wants to make sure that the new Christians adapt all of the previous Jewish customs, including circumcision. The other leader comes from the polytheism of multiple guides and trying to establish the one God from the poly gods. The end goal for both of them is to show them Christ love.
In the letter, Paul is showing how they are not only two families coming together, but are currently one family in Christ. Paul extends this family metaphor to take account the Roman family structure. In the traditional Roman family there were very stringent and complex laws and roles. Paul is laying the foundation of a gentle and loving family structure which is the reflection of Christ.
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Colossians 3:5, 7-8, 11-14 ESV
In this passage, Paul is also showing us how to step outside of our wants and be more in-tuned to our contentment. The more that we want things that creates division between us and others.
sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
But when we find contentment, we are able to celebrate others successes and others joys.ss, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other.
Paul is showing us that the easy route is to have division among us.
This is what the world wants and this is what the enemy uses to divide us. The enemy chooses to create chaos where there is peace. The enemy chooses division where there is unity. The enemy chooses apathy or love.
But God has given us the ability to have references such as this gospel to lead on and into study daily to form unity through this division. This is not an easy step, but it is a necessary step for us to grow and to heal each other.
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