Dearest e-votees-
Blessings on your on-going celebration of Christmas.
Christ has come into the world. We are blessed when we remember this and live into this truth. The world is blessed when we remember to show this message and live in such a way that others are wooed into this truth.
Peace to you and yours. Have a blessed 2013.
Karl
--------------------
12 As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
These words to the Colossian church with just a little tweaking could be the words spoken within the Trinity as Jesus prepared for his earthly ministry:
As God’s chosen one, holy and beloved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with them and, if any needs forgiveness, grant it; you must forgive. Above all, clothe yourself with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let your peace remain in you and them, as they are called to be one body. And be thankful. Let your word dwell in them richly; teach and admonish them in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do in your name give thanks to God your Father.
Jesus came covered in attributes of care and long-suffering, humble service. He suffered fools and arrogance and returned grace and forgiveness. Jesus came as love bringing unity and reconciliation where we had sown hatred, discord and factions. Jesus comes bringing peace to a war-torn, combat-weary world. Jesus taught and lived thankfulness. His words are recorded to teach us and admonish us and grow us up into wisdom. And so, having been saved by love, we are drawn into the same sorts of works as Jesus. We sing praises and we give thanks to God for that high and holy calling.
We are chosen by God. God’s love is for us and for all. In baptism we are clothed in Christ and made holy. We are called along with the Colossians saints to put on the ways of Jesus. Letting forgiveness, love, thankfulness and joy win the day. This may take many shapes and forms as all of us have different bodily functions to which we have been called. But thankfully and with praise we are able to go about the tasks and ministries God has set before us. We do this in Jesus’ name and we thank God.
God, continue to draw us up into you. Help us to be shaped and reshaped by the deep truths and abundant life found in this Colossians text. All to your glory. Amen.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment