 Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said (in essence) "I cannot hear your words for your actions speak so much louder." What we do speaks more to our belief system than what we say. Those that watch Christians are quick to pick up discrepancies in our overall behavior and what we say. We tend to show our true colors more clearly by our actions than we know. We, as Christians, are called to forgive just as we are forgiven. During a church meeting a while ago, bitterness and unresolved resentment boiled over. The catalyst was an argument about the way the church lawn was routinely mowed. After a time of seeking a resolution the true problem was revealed. Unforgiveness of some slight many years ago had festered and burst open. A minor misunderstanding had caused years of anger between previously close friends. Colossians tells us to forgive as we have been forgiven. When I look at my debt of sin that the Lord has forgiven, what others have done pales in importance. We are called 'holy and dearly loved'. We should be willing to be patient and forgiving to others just as the Creator of the Universe has loved and forgiven us. When we are the ones that have caused the pain, Jesus is asking us to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. If the one we have hurt refuses to forgive, that is between them and the Lord. Our responsibility has been met. We should continue to pray for them but we are not to hold it against them. Treat them with respect and compassion. Then we will live what we believe. No slight is greater than God's ability to heal and restore. Witnessing without words is one of the most difficult tasks the Lord has asked us to attempt. We are to treat others as the Lord has treated us. We are to be walking witnesses to the amazing grace of God's forgiveness. A close walk with Jesus will show us the way.
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 Hebrews 10:24,25. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--- and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (And God said, "It is not good for man to be alone... Gen 2:18a)
It has been demonstrated many times that the habits of the people we spend time with will become our habits. We will assimilate their speech, actions and even begin to pick up on their belief patterns. We will begin to read and watch what is important to them. Even our music preferences will reflect theirs. The author of Hebrews is reminding us to stay close to those whose God is our God. He is also reminding us that it is easy to fall into a sin pattern because we become accustomed to the way things are done around us. We need to support those around us and be willing to be accountable to them as well. When the young Christian church spent time together, they offered support and help to those in need. They shared all they had. They ate and worshiped together, sometimes in private homes as well as the temple. But they were committed to seeing to the needs of their community. 'They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship,' (Acts 2:42a) They worshiped openly together while they could. The time came when the Jewish leadership made it dangerous to worship but they still found a way to serve the Lord. Their fellowship gave them the strength to stand up to the authorities in defense of the Lord. The Lord Jesus told them where 'two or three are gathered together', He is there. When we assemble today to worship Him, serve Him, or do the work of the church, He is there also. The building we gather in is called a church but the true Church are the believers who are gathering there. In John 17:23, 24a when Jesus was praying for the believers, He said, "I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and loved them even as You have loved Me. Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am,…." God created us to be in fellowship with Him. He loves us. He sent His Son to walk with us in fellowship. The Holy Spirit dwells within the believers to comfort and guide us. He delights in us. We are loved. |
AuthorPlease join us as we grow in Christ through our weekly devotions, written by Catherine Donaldson 
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