In Colossians 3:12-17 Paul gives us some guidelines as to how we as Christians should live. In verse 17 we read that we are to do and say everything with thankful hearts and in Jesus name. Wow, if we examined our every action and word in that light, we would need no further instruction.

Back in verse 12, we are exhorted to be merciful but also to do it in a tender manner. The apostle James said that God desired mercy before judgement (James 2:13). Is that worth another wow? In verses 12-13 of Colossians 3, Paul also directs us to be kind; that’s goodness in action. He says we must be patient and meek. Meekness is not being a mouse but describes a powerful man or woman of God who’s will and emotions are under control.

We are to walk in humility. This is being teachable; seeing ourselves as of no significance on our own but the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:21), in whom (Christ) and with his strength, we can do all things (Phil 4:13). We must forgive, just as Christ forgave.

In verse 14, Paul gives us his most important instruction and that is to love as God loves us, with his unconditional love. In verses 15 and 16 we are told to allow God’s peace to rule in our hearts. How do we do that? Well, in verse 16, it says that we should have the word of God on the inside of us (Ps 119:165). This means taking the time to study and meditate the word to the point that it is such a part of us that it flows from us to others in songs of praise and adoration of our God. If we have the word growing in us, the Holy Spirit can respond to the faith we have in that word and develop all the attributes above in us.

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Galatians 5:14 tells us to: “love your neighbor as yourself”. Then in verse 15 we read: "but if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another". Bite, devour and consume are a very strong combination of words. Have you ever thought about what they all mean?  We are not talking of physical biting etc. but thinking in metaphorical terms. In this sense, these words together mean to completely wound and destroy each other emotionally.

The apostle Paul was directing these words to Christians! Think for a moment what these actions with our mouths would do to people and the unity of the church. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov 18:21).

Fortunately, in verse 16 of Galatians chapter 14, Paul gives us a clue as to how we can prevent what he discusses in verse 15. He says: “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh”. He then goes on to list the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law”.

So how do we walk and live in the Spirit? The only way to do this is by spending time in God’s word, in prayer, fellowshipping with the Lord and listening for what the Holy Spirit might want to say to us. We must be ready to act on his promptings and be open to change.   

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“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20-21; KJV).

As Christians we have died to the old life dominated by sin and spiritual death and have received new life in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:2). We have to live this new life by faith; faith that the Holy Spirit will work in us to change us to be more like Christ each day (Gal 5:22).

In Colossians 3:1-4 we read that we are to: “seek those things which are above”; seek the things of Jesus. In that passage we are exhorted to set our minds on heavenly things, knowing that when Christ returns, we will be with him in his glory; what a promise. When you set your mind on something it becomes your focus, your priority. God knows we have families and jobs but he wants us to make him our focus when we get up, as we go through our day and as we lay down to rest (Josh 1:8). Then we will be changed (Gal 5:22), experience all God has for us (Josh 1:8), walk in his peace (Ps 119:165) and have the assurance that we are his forever more (Col 3:4).

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God showed his kindness to us through Jesus (Eph. 2:7) and we need to imitate his example. Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). The meaning of the Greek word in both verses is really the practical expression of goodness, particularly in the face of difficult people.

In Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) the apostle Paul taught us that we should: “be ye kind one to another" and in Colossians 3:12 he was more emphatic writing that we should: "put on…. kindness”.  In the familiar love passage of the new Testament (1 Cor 13): we see that kindness is one of the attributes of God’s unconditional love (V4).

A different Greek word for kindness is used in Acts 28:2: "the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness". The word used here denotes more of a loving kindness toward people. So, when we talk about kindness, we think of doing good things to help others as in Gal. 6:10: "do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith".

Sometimes kindness comes naturally to us but at other times we have to be intentional about it; it’s so easy to become consumed with our own problems and busyness and not notice what others are going through. Look out for opportunities to be a blessing to people today and have fun doing it.

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 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Tim; 1:12 KJV).

In this verse Paul talks of his faith; he said he believed and was fully persuaded. He was persuaded that God could keep him until Christ’s return in the face of all the persecution and hardship he encountered (2 Cor 11:21-33). Paul was persecuted, beaten, stoned, almost drowned, weary, hungry, cold, and burdened by the concerns for the church but he could say that God delivered him from everything (2 Tim 3:11).

Going back to our text from 2 Timothy above, notice that Paul said I know whom I have believed and that he (God) can keep me. So often our focus is on building our faith for something (e.g. healing) and that is good, we need to do that; but first and foremost, we need to know and trust our God. This means we must know his nature and character.

“God is love” (1 John 4:8), his promises are yes and amen (2 Cor 1:20), he is faithful (1 Cor 1:9) and never changes (Mal 3:6). Nothing is too difficult for God (Luke 1:37); he is our shield and our: “exceedingly great reward” (Gen 15:1). His word is truth and the truth will set you free (John 17:17; John 8:32).

This is just a glimpse of our God; search the word and get to know your awesome all-powerful God.

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