Title: Love Above All/Colossians 3 1-2
What, then, are the things of the earth that we should not think about? The apostle Paul lists them in the same Colossians 3:5-9: “Therefore put to death your members that are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil lust and covetousness, which is idolatry. ... Now put off all these things, wrath and wrath and malice and slander and shameful speech from your mouth. You must not lie to each other...” Fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil lust, covetousness, wrath, anger, malice, slander, shameful speech, and lies are things that those who have received the grace of Jesus Christ must resolutely abandon them. It means things of
Then, on the contrary, what should we seek? That is what today's text presents to us. First, in verse 12, the first half says, “Therefore, as God has chosen, as holy and beloved”. First of all, we must make it clear that we are “the chosen of God, holy and beloved.” We are God's chosen people. When God chooses us, he chooses to be holy, that is, to be set apart. To say that we are chosen means that we are loved by God. Holiness and love are the most important natures of God. It is only natural for those who have been chosen by that holy and loving God to live a life that reflects the character of that God. “Therefore, as God’s chosen one, holy and beloved,” he refers to that.
In the second half of verse 12, it says, “In mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and longsuffering.” These mercy, mercy, humility, gentleness, and long-suffering are the greatest manifestations of the life of Jesus Christ. Therefore, these virtues are repeatedly emphasized in the Bible as virtues required of followers of Jesus Christ.
Verse 13 says, “If anyone has a dissatisfaction with anyone, bear with one another and forgive one another, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you too.” Knowing how to tolerate and forgive one another no matter who has dissatisfaction with each other is a very important factor in making the community of those who are chosen and loved by the same God into a holy community. The second half gives reasons why we should forgive and forgive one another. He said, “As the Lord has forgiven you, so ye must.” If the Lord had not forgiven us and forgave us, we would be condemned to eternal death. If we become God's people because of the Lord's forgiving and forgiving, it is very appropriate for us to tolerate and forgive each other. We should know that our inability to forgive others is the biggest obstacle to enjoying the grace of the Lord's forgiveness.
Jesus has already said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment, and the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” These two commandments are the fulfillment of all the Law and the Prophets. the Spirit” (Matthew 22:37-40). Love is above all in the Christian value system and must be added to all our thoughts, judgments, actions, and lives. It is not that others precede and love is added after that, but love should be the motive, ground, and starting point of all our thoughts, judgments, actions, and lives.