Text: Colossians 3:1-17
3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is,seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness,humility, meekness, and patience, 13 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.14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 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. 17 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.
What are you still seeking that is of this world and not from above? How can you move towards putting these earthly desires to death?
Which of Christ’s traits are you striving to make a part of your own divine character?
Who do you need to forgive to truly have the peace of God in your heart? He has forgiven us freely–who can you extend that gift to in your life today?
Thank you all for blessing me with your transparent responses.
I need to let go of pride. It hinders me from totally forgiving. I don’t think I want to forgive, it’s like I want to stay mad at this person because she really hurt me. And forgiving would be letting go of it, and not being mad anymore. Wow, I’m being honest here. And I thought I’d forgiven her. Forgiveness is soul work, and I thought I was a forgiving person. But I feel like I want to hold the grudge, and that wouldn’t be complete forgiveness then would it?
Please pray for me…….
You are the one who will suffer the most if you don't forgive. It doesn't mean that you forget what that person did, but the hurt of the memory of what happened that will cause bitterness in your life will slowly fade. Check out The grief recovery method. I've been helped through that. A LOT. I never understood forgiveness even though I've been a Christian my whole life but it was an AHA-moment when I came to the part about apologizing and forgiveness! Now I've let go of so many hurts and I have forgiven many people. This has also deepened my relationship with God so much. The art of forgiving is truly powerful when you understand what it is all about! Perhaps you need to write down what she did and how hurt you are, and then read the letter to someone you trust. And in the letter say that your forgive what she did (according to The grief recovery method)?
God bless and I will pray for you! Hope you find a way.
Just one more thought on forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn't necessarily hurt the other person, but it surely does hurt us!
I noticed that the subject of forgiveness came up several times in people's posts today. That aspect of verse 13 spoke to me today as well; so, in the middle of the study, I took time to forgive someone that I have been harboring resentment towards now for quite some time. I hadn't recognised it for what it was until today. And, then I asked the Lord to forgive me.
Forgiveness is really just an act of the will. We may not "feel" differently right away; we need time to let our emotions catch up to our decision. If the person we need to forgive still rankles our spirit when the person's name is mentioned or when we think of him/her, then forgive again, as many times as needed and ask God to forgive us for our withholding forgiveness. Forgiveness is like a two-sided coin; on the one side is our need to forgive (and so have peace) and on the other side is our need to be forgiven! When we obey the Lord and forgive as often as is necessary, the peace WILL come.
I'm thankful for today's reading as it led me to do what needed to be done. Of course, I've read these verses before, but for some reason that particular verse struck home today!
And one more thing….in regard to love…I often check myself in this area by reading the definition of love in 1 Cor. 13:4–7. Love is not always an emotion either, but an act of our will..a decision.
Has anyone out there ever read "The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life " by Hannah Whitall Smith? I bought it many years ago as a new believer and it has helped me many a time.
In His Grip~~
Lately, I've been incredibly anxious and annoyed at applying for colleges. I realize that this is because I'm not giving it to God, and I've been clutching too tightly; Lord, help me to give it up to you. Guide me. Help me.
Verse 8 convicted me a lot: "But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth." I've been so full of anger, wrath, and obscene talk lately! Lord, forgive me. Help me to rest in you. Help me to throw off my frustration and cussing; they aren't things that give you glory.
I need to forgive myself and the pressures I've placed on myself to succeed. They all mean nothing, Father; you are God. I need you.
11 "Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all." Lord, help us to be unified in you and in Your Perfect will this morning.
As for college and life in general,
17 "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."
^^ *spent (typo!)
This set of verses pack so much in it and today I spend some time reading them over in my study bible. The main thing that stuck out to me was anger and forgiveness. I am so bitter towards some people in my church that have not acted Christ-like to me and have judged me, and I know that this bitterness is wrong>> I should be forgiving these people. :)
I was so upset at my regular driver that brings me home from work Friday night. the company that provides our disability transportation uses a cab company that they contract out to. usually, if they do our trips, they don't take cash rides. Our driver decided to take a cash ride to get some extra moneyy because he thought he could get back and get us in time. didn't work that way. I kept asking, why god. It took me a while, but the driver is the one I need to forgive and I am asking God to help me. i love this passage of scripture and it always serves as a good reminder for me.