As Risen With Christ We Are To Put On

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Colossians 3:12-14
Psalters: 266, 75, 204, 369
  1. What
    1. First, we are to put on forgiveness: “forgiving one another.”
      1. A “quarrel” is to have a complaint or any just cause against a friend or foe.
      2. It is not only to refuse to hold their sin against them, but also to see them as God sees me.
      3. “Even as Christ forgave you”: our forgiving is based on what God has done and is to be done in the manner God does.
      4. This attitude of forgiveness is given to “any.”
    2. “Above all these things put on charity.”
      1. It is a most favorable attitude toward others, which does not depend on something attractive in the other, but has its sole motivating source in the one doing the loving.
      2. It is expressed in a positive attitude toward the unloving and unlovely, over against retaliating or replying in kind.
      3. Like forgiveness it arises from God’s attitude and action toward us!
      4. Love has pre-eminence above the others (cf. I Cor. 13:13; I Peter 4:8).
  2. The ability to forgive as Christ forgave, and to exercise charity is in the way of putting on virtues.
    1. The exhortation to put on implies an ability which is given in regeneration and Is stirred into activity by the Spirit.
    2. The virtues (they go in pairs).
      1. “Bowels of mercies” are deep, fervent desires to bless.
      2. “Kindness” is the act of being useful and thus to be good.
      3. “Humbleness of mind” is to think close to the ground.
      4. “Meekness” is the strength to see myself in relationship to God and others.
      5. “Longsuffering” and “forbearing one another.”
  3. The reason for exercising these virtues and the assurance that we can exercise them is found in who we are in God’s eyes.
    1. You are the “elect of God.”
    2. You are “holy.”
      1. God elected us to be holy (Eph. 1:4); justifying us with Jesus’ perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness.
      2. God’s judgment declares us to be separated from evil and dedicated to Himself so we did everything correctly.
    3. You are “beloved.”