Colossians #7 - The Clothing of Christian Character

Big Idea: What does Christian character look like in maturity? Here, Paul describes it like a set of clothes we ‘put on.’ 1. Live with compassion and forgiveness. Colossians 3:12-13 a. “Compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” These speak to the basic disposition of the mature Christian because they mirror Christ. You shouldn’t be fake sunshine and sweetness, but if these have little or no place in you, you’ve got growing to do. b. “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Forgiveness is first for reconciliation. Christ forgave our sins to reconcile us to Himself, and to teach us to be reconciled with one another. c. What if no inter-personal reconciliation is possible? Forgiveness can still free at least you from carrying a needless burden, even if the other person doesn’t repent. 2. Live with love, peacefulness, and thankfulness. Colossians 3:14-15 a. “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Love isn’t about warm fuzzies, but about esteem and value. The heart is designed to settle on worth. b. “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.” Anxieties are a crushing weight, but Christ offers a relieving peace. The world offers medications and psychological tricks to alleviate anxiety (Sometimes, truly necessary). But have we sought peace from the Prince of Peace? c. “And be thankful.” Learning to be grateful to God, seeing His good sovereign hand in our lives is a culminating development of Christian character. (So important that it’s repeated in vs. 17) 3. Live with biblical meditation and worship. Colossians 3:16-17 a. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.” This happens when we ingest and ruminate upon God’s Word and especially His Gospel. b. “Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Worship is not merely a Sunday activity. It’s something we do with our whole lives. Since God created us in His image, He designed us to resonate with artistic and poetic expression. Not all truth is best expressed in hard, logic-chopping statements. c. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Our professed faith (word) and displayed life (deed) are meant to live in agreement with one another. These are informed by our meditating on God’s Word and living worshipfully. Questions for Reflection 1. Is there someone you struggle to forgive? Are you needlessly carrying that burden? 2. Are you a person at peace, or are you riddled with anxieties? 3. Do you live meditating on what God has said and with a worshipful heart?