Are you tired of being stuck in your Christian life? Colossians 3:12-17 are helpful verses for taking your faith in Jesus to the next level.
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.
Realize That You Always Represent Jesus
God is the one who chose us to be holy – set apart – because he loves us. This means that we are different from everyone else and we are both called to live in-step with our new identity in Christ and equipped to do so by God’s word and Holy Spirit. That’s why the end of this section instructs us to represent Jesus in all things (Colossians 3:17). But how can we practically do that?
#1 Put on a “Me-Second” Attitude
The world tells us to put ourselves first. Everything’s about what we feel and what we want and our identity and being unique. If other people get in the way of that, it’s okay to push them aside. Christians, on the other hand, should have a “me-second” attitude.
Luke 22:26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.
Jesus showed this attitude throughout his ministry and taught us to share in it (Colossians 3:12). We are to clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and we can do this because of Jesus’s work in our hearts.
#2 Don’t Get Stuck in Unforgiveness
A pattern of unforgiveness is a telltale sign that you really haven’t been impacted by Jesus. Why? Christianity is all about being forgiven by Jesus and sharing that forgiveness with others. We forgive as we have been forgiven (Colossians 3:13). Imagine if every Christian truly believed this and lived it out every day. Christians would be universally seen as the best friends, students, and co-workers.
1 Peter 2:12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
#3 Speak in a Way That Points People to Jesus
It’s easy to forget that our words can hurt others and that our words reflect Christ – for good or for ill. We should always speak in ways that point people to Jesus (Colossians 3:16-17). The most basic thing we should be doing in our interactions with others whether in person, on the phone, in the car, or on the internet, is that the richness of Christ is filling our lives and transforming us into godly people. When people see and hear us, they should see and hear Jesus in us.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Read 1 Peter 1:16. What are some areas you can grow in a “lifestyle of holiness?”
- Read Colossians 3:12. Which attribute would you say you are growing in? Which one do you need the most growth in?
- Read Luke 22:26. Can you think of anyone who has adopted a “me-second” way of life?
- What would happen in the important relationships of life if we put others first rather than putting ourselves first?
- Read Colossians 3:13-14. Share a story of when you were caught up in unforgiveness.
- Read Mattew 18:28-30. Is there anyone that God is challenging you to forgive? What happens when we extend forgiveness to others?
- Read Colossians. 3:17. What’s your reaction to the truth that our actions and words can show others how great Jesus is?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
This is part of the Enough series. Click here for sermon resources.
