Putting on the New Self

Far too often we hear reports of dysfunctional churches – of unhealthy Christian communities. Perhaps you have had an unhappy experience at some point of a dysfunctional Christian community.  Many of us have had experiences that we would sooner put behind us. Presumably we would all want to pursue wholesome, flourishing and life-giving Christian community. If we’re followers of Jesus, that is the only kind of church that we want to be part of.  But that raises a question for us:  how do we pursue healthy Christian community together? What do we prioritize?  In the power the Spirit, what are we to do, and where do we begin?  Paul’s letter to the Colossians provides some answers.

In Colossians 3:12-17, Paul provides a framework for pursuing healthy, God-honouring, life-giving Christian community. If we would be a church that flourishes – and that enables the flourishing of each believer – we must first put on love for the people of Christ.  As Paul writes in verse 12, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another…”  One of the great surprises and disappointments of the Christian life is the discovery that other Christians can actually be quite difficult to get along with.  Sadly, brothers and sisters can sin against one another, and interactions among believers are very often far from straightforward.  The reason for this reality, of course, is that we still have our old, sinful nature within – what the Bible sometimes calls the flesh.  We are still works in progress, and we have rough edges and sinful inclinations.   

God in his wisdom has not taken away all the problems and the pain, but has rather called us to navigate the tough dynamics with godliness and dependency upon him by his Spirit.  As Colossians 3:12-17 sets this challenge before us, it begins with gospel reality:  we who know Christ are God’s “chosen ones” (v. 12)– those upon whom he has set his saving love.  We are “holy” (v. 12) not because we have done good things, but because Jesus has made us holy by his blood.  We are “beloved”(v. 12) – loved not because of anything lovely within us, but because God has poured out his saving love in Jesus.  

In the context of this gospel reality, we are called to put on compassionate hearts.  We don’t naturally and easily look on the struggles and pains of others with hearts of compassion. We naturally focus on our own hurts and all too easily overlook the heartache and need of those around us.  But the God to whom we belong looked down from heaven at a sinful people and sent his Son.  The Jesus to whom we are united looked out on a needy people and had compassion on them because he saw that they were like sheep without a shepherd.  We are called to put on that very heart of compassion – God’s own heart (v. 12).  And with it, “kindness” (v. 12)--not harshness or judgmentalism.  And “humility” (v. 12)—not pride or a sense of self-sufficiency or self-accomplishment.  And “meekness” (v.12)– not making much of yourself, but being ready to serve without a sense of your own importance.  And “patience” (v.12), which of course  reflects the very heart of God, who is so patient with us and who bears with us in all our folly and sin.  As Paul points out, “as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive…” (v. 13)   This week, may this gospel reality encourage and empower you to “put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (v. 14).