Devotion:
Read Colossians 3:15-21.
I love the beginning of Colossians 3 in The Message “ So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it..”
Let love be your identifying characteristic as followers of Christ, Paul writes. Paul asks for peace to keep them “ in tune with each other” and says in verse 17 “Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”
Verses 18-21 are Paul’s teaching on the ways of living life as families. This was perhaps a radical new teaching as husbands were admonished in several of Paul’s letters to love their wives. In Ephesians 5, Paul says for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave His life for it.
In recent years, a lot of arguments have surrounded Paul’s teaching for wives to submit to their husbands. This was written in a different time as to the roles of women. But I believe we are to see the whole message here that our families are to love one another in all the ways Christ calls us to love.
“They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”, a song written in 1966 by a Roman Catholic Priest Peter R. Sholtes, during his time as a Parish Priest on the south side of Chicago, was a call for all Christians to be mindful of our witness.
Similarly, I believe the Apostle Paul was calling the people of the church at Colossae to understand their witness for Christ included more than just words. Resurrection life with Christ is different! Our witness includes the ways we treat others, including our families.
Personal Worship Option:
Family life together is not always easy. Sometimes we are “out of tune” with each other. Dear God, re-teach us your ways of love for our families. Grant us your peace, tune our hearts with your heart, and help us to always be thankful. Help us to love each other in sacrificial and unselfish ways. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment