Our scripture this morning is Colossians 3:12-17.
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 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. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Read the first words of this passage again and feel the joy they express – God chose you! We weren’t made to be alone, struggling through the issues of this world. God created us in His image, intending us for a loving relationship with Himself and each other.
Paul says “the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (v. 13). When we harbor anger and resentment against one another, we carry a burden. Forgiving those who may have wronged you releases that tension and gives it to God, the only one with the right to judge.
When we do this, we are free to live in His love and share it with all our brothers and sisters. Paul closes this passage by reminding us that we are representatives of the Lord Jesus (v. 17). How we treat each other is important to Him, and by living in faith as He taught, we are reconciled to God and saved for eternal life.
Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the many ways we mistreat each other. Help us to see Your will for us and live in the peace Christ bought for us all. Amen.