Responding to the Priorities of Jesus – Week 5
Responding with Love
We continue the series today with what most would say is the driving force of all the priorities of Jesus…LOVE. Think about it! For it was out of love for us that God sent his one and only Son to save us. It was out of love, that Jesus came to earth and walked among mankind, sharing the message of God’s love for them. Along the way, it was out of love that He healed the sick, the blind, the lame and brought the dead back to life. It was love, not nails, that held Him on the cross to die for our sins. When He rose again, He had a heart to heart talk with Simon Peter, and out of love for him, restored the call with “if you love me, feed my sheep.” He was not asking, giving him options to only care for the ones that loved him back. No, he was telling him to love, care for, protect all of the ones that Jesus was now placing in his care.
Even with Paul’s transformation, he moved from being a religious bully to a proclaimer of God’s amazing love, grace and mercy for all mankind, Jews and Gentiles alike! We are going to study today what Paul wrote to the church of Colossae, which in reality could be written to the church today!
Colossians 3:12-15
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
So, let me ask you…Do you believe God has chosen you by calling you out of darkness into His marvelous light and love? YES or NO. If so, then you are to do the following:
I. Clothe Yourself with Tenderhearted Mercy, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness and Patience, and Forgive.
This is a six point sermon topic in itself! But if we look back at the beginning of this chapter, it helps us keep this in context and understand the directions that Paul was giving to the church members.
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. “ Colossians 3:1-2
They are reminded that since they are raised to a new life in Christ, they cannot think or act the way they used to in their sinful nature. It is no longer “What about me and my rights?”, but rather “What is it that God wants me to do?”
This is a really tough one for me sometimes, especially when someone I care for is being affected by something that I feel is out and out wrong. My Papa Bear mode kicks in and I want to protect them and hurt the ones that are causing the pain. But then here comes God, using His Word to remind me that I am no longer of this world, and I have to react first and foremost as Jesus would react.
Zondervan’s Bible Commentary says:
“As they have been chosen to be holy they must put on the garments of salvation, the new robe of character whose texture is sympathy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience…These are the qualities to prevent friction and will help to settle their quarrels if any exist, their forgiveness being prompted by Christ’s forgiveness to them, as is expected of them.”
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II. ABOVE ALL, Clothe Yourself with Love
Have you ever had a new shirt on, and there was this random thread? (or you thought it was random) You pull it out, only to discover that it was a vital thread holding the seam together or a button on. Now I am fortunate enough to be married to someone who knows how to sew, but it still doesn’t mean that it wasn’t needed. It was a connective thread.
Love is vital. And if it these qualities are present in the community of believers, it will reduce or eliminate frictions of all kinds. Paul would not have reminded them of this command if it were automatic or was effortless for us to do. You have to work at loving each other, giving and receiving grace and forgiveness. The core of love is not emotion, but commitment. And not commitment to make the other person happy, but rather genuine concern for their well being and seeking to help them be more like Christ.
Also, it is not like they could just pull out the Bible and have a copy of the letter that Paul wrote to the Corinthians in their struggle with loving others. But we can!
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”
III. Let the Peace of Christ Rule Your Heart and Be Thankful
“…it is no longer I that lives, but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20).
Jesus comes into our lives, not to bully us or make us mindless puppets, but rather to help us experience life to its fullest. If we love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, then we will keep His commands and live in peace. And out of that love flows our love for one another, which leads to living in peace with Christ and each other. When everything is peaceful, then it is truly easy to be grateful and thankful.
And just like love, peace is something we have to work at by allowing grace to work in and through our lives. It is also important to remember to not only be thankful to God, but to be thankful to others around you. That will also help promote peace and harmony in a fellowship of believers.
CONCLUSION:
If we as a body of believers would make this the norm, the standard by how we live each and every day, imagine the difference we could make for the Kingdom of God. We say that we are friends with Jesus, but too many are treating that friendship as an acquaintance. Get back to your first Love, that deep, genuine, personal love between you and the One who created you. When you put Him first, in your thoughts, in your plans, in your schedule, you will find that peace that passes all understanding.
Benediction Blessing:
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 2:16-17