pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: tolerance


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In the Name of…

Reading: Colossians 3:12-17

Colossians 3:17 – “Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

In chapter 3 of Colossians Paul is encouraging the church to clothe themselves with the attitudes and practices of Jesus Christ. Verse 12 reminds the church that they are “God’s choice, holy and loved.” This is quite the status to have! The apostle goes on, inviting the church to “put on” Christ’s attitudes: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These attitudes (and others Christ exemplified such as welcome, mercy, grace…) should be lived out in all of life, 24/7.

Paul then invites the church to be tolerant and forgiving. These are ‘response attitudes.’ When someone is different from you or sees things from another perspective or when someone hurts or harms you or someone you love, respond with tolerance and forgiveness. How countercultural this invitation is, especially in our world today! Our human instinct, our gut-level reaction is to ignore or ridicule or exclude those who are different, to get even with those who hurt us. These are selfish responses. Christ was not selfish.

As our human nature is to be selfish, Paul encourages the church to put love over all of these attitudes – see everything, speak every word, through the filter of love. From the framework of love, God’s peace will fill our hearts. Christ’s word and Spirit will dwell richly in us. And one last piece of encouragement: “Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” This is Paul’s early version of the modern slogan, WWJD? It is choosing to filter all that we say and do and even think through the example of Jesus, he who was love lived out. It is the place that we must begin if we are to do good and not harm in our world.

Prayer: Lord God, clothe us this day and every day in Christ. Clothes thusly, empower us to live our compassion, kindness… When life challenges us in our efforts to follow Jesus, when others seek to harm or negatively influence us, raise up the voice of the Holy Spirit. Call us back to the way of Jesus. Whisper tolerance, forgiveness, grace, acceptance, and understanding into our hearts. In all things, use us to reveal the love of Christ to the world. Amen.


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The New Nature

Reading: Colossians 3-4

Colossians 3:9-10 – “Take off the old human nature… and put on the new nature… by conforming to the image of the one who created it.”

Today we read about living the Christian life. Paul begins this portion of the letter reminding us that being raised in Christ should lead us to thinking about “the things above.” He encourages us to “put to death” the earthly parts of ourselves – corruption, greed, lust, anger, slander, foul language… Laying aside these behaviors, we “take off the old human nature… and put on the new nature… by conforming to the image of the one who created it.” This new nature is Christlike. Therefore, earthly distinctions also fall away. In Christ there is no Greek or Jew… “Christ is all things and in all people.”

The new nature is characterized by compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, and love. Love arches over all the others, forming “the perfect bond of unity.” This is yet another way of saying that the greatest of these is love. Paul also elevates the peace of Christ. This peace is rooted in love along with being thankful. An attitude of gratitude brings contentment, which yields peace in our hearts. Paul then once again grounds our relationships – husband/wife, slave/master – in Christlike terms. Summarizing this part Paul writes, “Whatever you do, do it from the heart and not for people… You serve the Lord Jesus Christ.” This too is an invitation into the new nature of Christ.

As he closes, Paul again uplifts the power of prayer: prayers of thanksgiving and prayers for his ministry. He sends Tychicus with the letter to encourage them and he offers greetings from and to many people. There is a feeling of family and community as he closes, a unity among the believers. May this be our spirit too.

Prayer: Lord God, help us this day to put on Christ, to be like him in every way. May these qualities be evident in our lives as we seek to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world. Plant in our hearts love and peace, contentment and joy. In all that we do and say, may we shine light into the darkness of our world. Amen.