real life. real relationships. real purpose. in writing.
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Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:
What are you willing to surrender to God in order to grow in your relationship with Christ?
What are you unwilling to surrender? How may God be inviting you to surrender this area of your life over to Him?
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Colossians 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
This verse is yet another one in which English translations miss out on the richness of the Greek text. In this case, the culprit is the word love. This isn’t the fault of those who are translating the text. Instead, it’s the fault of our own language. We use the word love in so many ways. (e.g., I love my family. I love Starbucks. I’m going to make love with my spouse. I’m going to love on that person who seems depressed.)
The English language uses one word with a variety of meanings! But ancient Greek – and many other languages today – don’t have just one word for love, they have several.
The Greek word used here in Colossians 3:14 is the word agapé This type of love is what God expresses toward us in John 3:16. It is not an emotional feeling, nor is it a passive expression. Instead, agapé love is active. It is acting toward the good will of others, having genuine concern toward them and their well-being. In Colossians 3:14, Paul invites us to relentlessly and actively love one another. Because in the new family of Jesus, love is what holds us together.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:12-15, 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: Why do you think Paul writes about forgiveness and love back to back in Colossians 3:13-14? What steps do you sense God may be inviting you to take in these areas of forgiveness and love?
DIGGING DEEPER: Who is somebody who showed you real, sacrificial love at a moment in your life when you didn’t believe you deserved it? Considering writing to them to thank them for modeling agapé love to you.
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank you for all of those who have shown me a tremendous amount of sacrificial love. Continue to shape me into someone who can be sacrificial love in the lives of those who need it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another… Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
The topic of forgiveness is one which is easy to read or talk about, yet is often difficult to live it out. The above verse answers two important questions: (1) What do you do when you have a grievance against someone? And (2) Why do you take this step? The answers are clear – forgive them, because the Lord forgave you.
However, there’s a third question which isn’t answered: How do I go about the process of forgiving somebody who hurt me? I understand what I need to do and why I need to do it, but I don’t have a full grasp on how to do it.
Consider this, if you’re currently struggling to forgive somebody, maybe how to forgive them isn’t actually the biggest question deep within you. Instead, consider meditating on other questions such as: Why did God forgive me? In what ways am I missing out on experiencing real peace by not forgiving this person? In what ways might I be believing that I deserved to be hurt by this person? Or perhaps, What am I actually holding onto that I’m struggling to release?
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:12-15, 1 JOHN 1:9, MATTHEW 6:5-15 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: In what ways have you previously struggled to forgive others? Are you currently struggling to forgive somebody who has hurt you? What do you think may be at the root of that struggle?
DIGGING DEEPER: Counseling is not a dirty word. Consider finding a mentor, counselor, or spiritual director who can help you discover what may be at the root of your struggle to forgive others.
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that there are some people in my life I struggle to fully forgive. Today, I recognize that I may have been wrestling with the wrong question – how do I forgive them – when instead I could be wrestling with the question – what am I actually holding onto? Reveal to me whatever I may be struggling to release to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Colossians 3:12 …clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Yesterday we looked at two specific terms in the above passage. Today, we will continue with the next three.
First, the word humility is far more than simply the appearance of being humble. Instead, it is a true inward state of one’s heart. One Greek dictionary defines humility as “having the correct estimate of ourselves.” This would mean seeing our own worth and value to God and others while not seeing ourselves as “better” or “of greater value” than others.
Next, the word gentleness is sometimes translated as meekness in other English translations. Unfortunately, this has a negative connotation to those who have been taught that “meekness is weakness.” But the gentleness described here is not weakness. It is the state one one’s soul which is experiencing a profound sense of peace.
Finally, patience is about remaining emotionally calm even in the midst of difficult circumstances. A patient person is one “who is able to avenge himself yet refrains from doing so.”
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:12-15, EPHESIANS 4:2, 2 PETER 3:9, PROVERBS 15:1-4, GALATIANS 6:1, (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: Of the three words more fully defined today, which one sticks out to you most?
DIGGING DEEPER: Take 10-15 minutes to close your eyes and imagine “putting on” compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Then consider, what will these attributes look like to others as I live them out today?
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, becoming someone who is compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient, is not something I can do in my own strength. Instead, I must trust You and the work You are doing deep within me. Continue to root out anything in me that offends You so that I can be more and more like Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Colossians 3:12 …clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
In the verse noted above, Paul mentions five specific attitudes and/or attributes to “put on” or to “clothe yourselves with.” In the original Greek Language, many of these words have a richer, deeper meaning than what can quickly be translated into English. Let’s have a look at the first two.
First, the word compassion is translated in other English Bibles as tenderhearted mercy, heart of mercy, or, heartfelt compassion. While some translators were sure to include the word “heart” it still misses out on how the Colossians likely understood the term. In this verse,because compassion is something to “put on” or “clothe yourselves with,” the fuller meaning behind it is this: to increase your capacity for compassion. It isn’t just about being compassionate, but to increase your capacity to be compassionate.
Second, the word kindness isn’t simply about being nice to one another. Instead, kindness is to be useful and profitable to others. Useful in building them up, and profitable, in helping them realize their worth and value to God and others.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:12-15, ISAIAH 63:7, 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4, PHILIPPIANS 2:1-3 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: Of these two— compassion and kindness — which one would you say is currently your greatest growth area? How may God be inviting you to grow in this area? (Be specific.)
DIGGING DEEPER: Consider writing out at least three ways you may be able to increase your capacity for compassion? Similarly, write out at least three ways you can build others up today, helping them realize their worth and value to God and others? Be specific.
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, as I enter into a new week, I pray that You will reveal to me the ways in which I may increase my capacity for compassion. In the same way the Good Samaritan crossed the street to help a wounded man in need, reveal to me the hurts and wounds of others – physical, emotional, spiritual – and lead me to be Your hands and feet. Amen.
(End with 1-2 minutes of silence.)
(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:
What are you willing to surrender to God in order to grow in your relationship with Christ?
What are you unwilling to surrender? How may God be inviting you to surrender this area of your life over to Him?
(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)
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Colossians 3:10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Professional athletes know the kind of training required for their sport. Even non-professionals who challenge themselves to a major goal (running a marathon, learning to scuba dive, hiking the Grand Canyon) know that time, energy, and finances will be required for them to achieve their goal. But with enough time and energy, major goals can be achieved.
This is where the topic of Discipleship becomes challenging for some followers of Jesus. We can fall into the trap of thinking, But I will always have growth areas. I will always fall short of perfection. I can train, and train, and train, and train, and still have more training to do!
Indeed, this is true. But in the new family of Jesus, our Discipleship isn’t about what we do for God (including all that training). Instead, real discipleship is a never-ending exploration of the love of God. As Paul writes in Colossians 3:10, you are invited to know your creator and be like Him. The more you explore His love, the more you become like Him.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:5-11, 1 JOHN 4:7-12, ROMANS 8:35-39, ROMANS 5:7-8, ISAIAH 54:10 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: Does thinking of your own discipleship as a “never ending exploration of the love of God” cause you to think about discipleship differently?
DIGGING DEEPER: What are some ways you like to explore (exploring outdoors, exploring a new hobby, exploring a new recipe, exploring new friendships, etc.)? How might some of the time you spend with God be different if it’s used to more deeply explore the depths of His love for you?
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Today, write out your own prayer to God. Take your time, focussing on the never-ending depth of the love of God. Thank Him for how it has changed You. And ask Him to help you explore new ways to experience it.
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Colossians 3:5 So put to death [what’s] lurking within you.
Living in the new family of Jesus isn’t always easy. We all bring stuff from our old family into the new family. And we don’t always want to openly share that stuff with others, believing the lie that we can figure it out all by ourselves.
But to live in the new family of Jesus is to accept that this new family of Jesus functions differently. It functions in a way in which each member of the family is open and honest, confessing their growth areas with one another. It functions in such a way that the members don’t say, “What were you thinking?!” But instead ask, “How can I be an encouragement to you and help you take the next step?” It functions in such a way in which nobody is ever alone.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:5-11 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: What can you do today to more intentionally explore the love of God?
PRACTICE: Consider for a moment that spending time with God is something that is fun to do. Now, spend some extra time with Him today, and enjoy it.
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that when I think of church or spiritual exercises I’m not regularly thinking about how time with You can be fun. Yet Your Word says that You make Your face shine upon me. You delight to be near me. Continue to help me grow to see that time with You is a delight. A joy. Fun. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Colossians 3:5 So put to death [what’s] lurking within you.
Do you sometimes struggle to openly acknowledge what may be lurking deep beneath the surface in your life? For example, can you think of a time when you sinned against God and others but went on to compare your sin to others as if to say, “Well yeah, I did that. But it wasn’t that bad.” Some possible examples may be:
Unfortunately, we’re not able to put to death our earthy nature when we deflect responsibility for our sins against God and others. Being part of the new family of Jesus means that we are honest with God, honest with ourselves, and honest with others. It’s to take responsibility for the wrongs we commit so that we can take steps forward in our new nature.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:5-11, ROMANS 6:1-23 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: Consider the previous 2-3 days of your life. Can you think of at least one time when you minimized a wrong you committed?
DIGGING DEEPER: Spend some time in prayer with God. Ask Him, “What may be lurking deep beneath the surface in my life that has led me to minimize my sins against You?” Then spend some additional time journaling your thoughts and feelings about anything that may have risen to the surface during this exercise.
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, yesterday I prayed that I would see myself as You see me. At the same time, I don’t want to live by completely and totally minimizing the wrongs I commit against You and others. Instead, I pray that You will open up my eyes to the reality of the sin in me, while also opening my eyes to the depth of Your love and grace. Despite my sin, You are with me and for me. Thank You! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Colossians 3:5 So put to death [what’s] lurking within you.
Colossians 3:5-11 focuses on the need to “put to death” certain sins. Paul specifically mentions a number of sexual sins as well as sins of speech. Many may read through this passage and conclude that the heart of the passage is about behavior modification. God has a heart that we ought to live a certain way (which is 100% true) and it’s up to us to change our behaviors in order to live that way (not quite 100% true).
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about behavior modification. It’s about God’s desire to reconcile His people back to Himself. It’s about God restoring our fractured lives to make us whole in Him. As such, the heart of the Gospel focuses more on who you are than it focuses on how you live. This doesn’t mean you’re free to live and sin however you’d like (Rom. 6:15). Instead, it means that understanding who you are will shape how you live.
You are a saint. You are a child of God. You are a friend of God. You are part of the new family of Jesus. You are secure in Him. And so much more. Holding firmly to these truths will lead to the death of your earthly nature.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 3:5-11 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: Do you spend more energy being concerned with how you live (your behaviors) or who you are in the eyes of God? What changes might you need to make to more regularly and consistently see yourself as God sees you?
DIGGING DEEPER: Throughout the week, search out at least 5 Scripture verses which focus on who you are in the eyes of God. (Example: John 1:12 says those who follow Christ are a child of God.) In the weeks to come, continue to add to the list of Scripture verses you discover. Read these daily.
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess there are many times when I don’t see myself as a “saint” but instead as a “sinner.” While I know I have sinned against You and others, I’m grateful for the reminder that You see me as a saint. A friend of God. A child of God. May the truths of who I am permeate my spirit deeply, and may I grow in seeing myself as You see me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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