[3:12-25] Because God chose believers to be holy people, He gives
believers the ability to clothe themselves with a new nature. It is a working of the Holy Spirit that
allows believers to be merciful [a heart of compassion], kind [helpful], humble
[meekness which doesn’t mean weakness], gentle, patient [longsuffering], forgiving,
loving [binds people together], peace-filled, and thankful. All these attributes become a part of a believer’s
life whenever they spend time in the word of God. Verse 16 says, “Let the message about Christ,
in all its richness, fill your lives.
Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to
God with thankful hearts.” Paul
encourages them, “…whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the
Lord Jesus…”
Paul encourages the Colosse church to take these same instructions into
their households. In verse 18-21 he
admonishes the family, “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those
who belong to the Lord. Husbands, love
your wives and never treat them harshly.
Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they
will become discouraged.”
Verse 23 says, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people.”
Whenever you work, work as unto the Lord. Don’t be lazy on your job but perform your
job with enthusiasm. Whenever believers perform
their job in this way, they give Jesus Christ the preeminence in their
lives.
