"bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection." Colossians 3:13-14 NKJV
Let's look at Day 2 of our ' From old to new' series. Yesterday we saw how we have to take off the old self and put on the new. We also discovered that this, although an important requirement to the believer, is not always an easy thing to do and, can take a life time. Breaking down the two verses above, let's start with:
BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER
This really is showing people grace. Be honest, where would we be without this. Jesus is always gracious towards us. We are to be the same. Being gracious, is showing the person that however difficult they may be, we are willing to be patient and put up with them. Ask yourself how many times has someone put up with your peculiarities? Quite often if you are like me. Thank goodness that they were patient.
FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER
This is having a willingness to forgive the person who has wronged you, whether they ask forgiveness or not. Forgiveness doesn't excuse evil or approve of bad behaviour, but it means that we set people free from obligations and if they are free, then we are the same because we don't harbour bad feelings. We are not called to harbour grudges or unforgiveness; it only leads to bitterness; and this can lead us to linger on the wrongdoing and demand payback.
PUT ON LOVE
Paul speaks of the bond of perfection. Basically this is unity - a joining together of one another in Jesus Christ. I like how the Amplified bible quotes this verse, we are to 'Wrap yourselves in (unselfish) love by seeking the best of people'. When we wrap something, that certain 'something' is safe and protected. In the same manner, wrapping ourselves, in love around one another is doing the same. We are offering a safe and protected relationship.
This is all part of the new self; as someone put it, the new clothes that Jesus has given us. We may not feel 'new' but we are and little by little as we walk with in the new self, we begin to operate as such. So keep at it, you are a new creation, 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new' 2 Corinthians 5:17
Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.
Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
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