As Risen With Christ We Are To Put On
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
9/8/2013 PM
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Text:
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Colossians 3:12-14
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Psalters: |
266, 75, 204, 369 |
- What
- First, we are to put on forgiveness: “forgiving one another.”
- A “quarrel” is to have a complaint or any just cause against a friend or foe.
- It is not only to refuse to hold their sin against them, but also to see them as God sees me.
- “Even as Christ forgave you”: our forgiving is based on what God has done and is to be done in the manner God does.
- This attitude of forgiveness is given to “any.”
- “Above all these things put on charity.”
- 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.
- It is expressed in a positive attitude toward the unloving and unlovely, over against retaliating or replying in kind.
- Like forgiveness it arises from God’s attitude and action toward us!
- Love has pre-eminence above the others (cf. I Cor. 13:13; I Peter 4:8).
- The ability to forgive as Christ forgave, and to exercise charity is in the way of putting on virtues.
- The exhortation to put on implies an ability which is given in regeneration and Is stirred into activity by the Spirit.
- The virtues (they go in pairs).
- “Bowels of mercies” are deep, fervent desires to bless.
- “Kindness” is the act of being useful and thus to be good.
- “Humbleness of mind” is to think close to the ground.
- “Meekness” is the strength to see myself in relationship to God and others.
- “Longsuffering” and “forbearing one another.”
- The reason for exercising these virtues and the assurance that we can exercise them is found in who we are in God’s eyes.
- You are the “elect of God.”
- You are “holy.”
- God elected us to be holy (Eph. 1:4); justifying us with Jesus’ perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness.
- God’s judgment declares us to be separated from evil and dedicated to Himself so we did everything correctly.
- You are “beloved.”