CONTENTS
- Come to Jesus Daily devotional
- Monday – You are dressed in royal robes (3:10)
- Tuesday – We are all royalty in Christ (3:11)
- Wednesday – Therefore get dressed (3:12)
- Thursday – Dress in Jesus’ forgiveness (3:13)
- Friday – Dress in Jesus’ love (3:14)
- Community Group/Family Study
You can listen to the message at: Link for audio content
For more information visit: www.communitychurchputney.com
1. COME TO JESUS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
One of our goals as a church is to spend at least 20 minutes every day in prayer and worship out of the bible. I hope you find this devotional helpful toward that end.
MONDAY – YOU ARE DRESSED IN ROYAL ROBES (3:10)
Colossians 3:9-10 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
If you’ve been following along in our Colossians series, you will know that one of the great themes is that Christians have died and been raised to new life in Christ. This is the backdrop to all teaching on improved behaviour – we are to behave in a new godly way because we are actually renewed in Christ. Here, Paul puts this theme in the language of clothing: you have ‘taken off the old self… and have put on the new self.’ The old, sinful ‘fashions’ have died when you died, and the new Christ-like fashions have been put on you (and increasingly put on you) when you received new life in Christ.
You have put on the new self
A Christian is a ‘new creation’ (2 Cor. 5:17). They are not partially renewed, they have completely ‘taken off the old self’ and have completely ‘put on the new’.
You are being renewed
Although we are ‘raised’ with Christ to new life, we are told that ‘the new self… is being renewed…’
This could be likened to the process of a child growing into an adult. This child is fully human but still needs to grow and mature. Likewise, we are a ‘new self’ whilst needing to grow and develop.
As Paul writes,
‘And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.’ (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
As thinking is changed, we are changed. As we ‘set our minds on things above…’ (3:2) the effects of the ‘Fall’ are increasingly undone, and we are restored to the ‘image of God’ (Genesis 1:27). This is both natural and supernatural: knowledge of God’s truth brings the sanctifying power of the Spirit into our lives. As Jesus says, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (Jn. 17:17)
RESPONSE
How are you doing at giving your mind to the study, meditation, prayer and worship out of what you read in the bible? Through the truth, we realise our identity as those forgiven and renewed in Christ, and there is so much more to learn, enjoy and be transformed by.
TUESDAY – WE ARE ALL ROYALTY IN CHRIST (3:11)
Colossians 3:11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Paul says, ‘here there is no…’ Where is ‘here’? This is among the people of God – ‘here’ there are no divisions based upon status. We all, equally, have Christ dwelling in us.
Our world is full of divisions based upon every conceivable attribute. The world of the Colossian church had its opponents whom he calls:
Gentile or Jew - The Jews looked down on the Gentiles as ‘dogs’ and those outside of God’s people. This division could still be carried over into their Christian life, bringing division.
Circumcised or uncircumcised – Those who were circumcised could feel superior to those who weren’t. Again this could cause factions to form in the church, and a pressure to undergo this rite.
Barbarian, Scythian – ‘Barbarian’ was a term used for those who were outside the Greek culture. Scythians were a people group considered particularly uneducated and uncivilised. Unfortunately, this racial, cultural and educational snobbery could come into the church.
Slave or free – Slaves were considered property before being people. Aristotle could define a slave as “a living tool, as a tool is an inanimate slave.” In the church, both slaves and free were in the same community and prejudice could creep in.
RESPONSE
Although we have a new identity, we can still fall into defining ourselves and others in worldly, and sometimes, demeaning ways. Do you realise that ‘Christ is in all’ of your brothers and sisters. Modern divisions might be male and female, young and old, rich and poor, black or white, left or right, professional and non-professional, leaver or remainer…
The church, however, is to represent that future glorious state when Christ Comes again, when every nation, tribe and tongue will worship Him. Let John’s vision become our vision for our church,
“And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)
He loves you and them equally. Jesus’ people are united! This future has begun by uniting us in Christ.
WEDNESDAY – THEREFORE GET DRESSED (3:12)
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Paul, again, highlights our new identity before he talks about behaviour improvement. We are
God’s chosen people – Christians are Christians because they have been chosen by God. Everyone one of our brothers and sisters, from whatever background, were chosen, by God’s love. As Paul writes elsewhere,
‘For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.’ (Ephesians 1:4-6)
Holy and dearly loved – Holy means to be chosen and set apart by God for His purposes. Holy and dearly loved tells every Christian that their sins have been washed away and are God’s special possession.
Therefore get dressed
It’s on the basis of our new identity that we are to ‘put on the new self’. We are to dress in Christlikeness. Let’s think about the Christian’s appropriate Jesus-like dress. We are to put on:
Compassion – This is to feel deeply for others’ suffering. It says of Jesus, ‘When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.’ (Matt 9:36) A big reason why the church is so prayer-less and fruitless is that she is not dressed in Jesus’ compassion.
Kindness – This refers to acts of kindness in light of God’s kindness to us in Christ. This kindness is best expressed in the gospel as Paul writes,
‘And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.’ (Ephesians 2:6-7)
Humility – This is to not think too highly of oneself. Someone with humility does not always have to have his or her way. They are more aware of their own failures than those of others. The opposite is pride, which is revealed when we are easily offended. It says of Jesus, ‘And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!’ (Philippians 2:8)
Gentleness/meekness – We are to dress in the meekness of Christ. Jesus tells us,
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).
To dress or be ‘yoked’ with meekness is to have strength but to have it under control- Jesus is terribly powerful (omnipotent), yet He treats us with gentleness; likewise, we are to exert the appropriate amount of force in our relationships.
Patience – This is ‘long-suffering’. this is to put up with people who annoy us for whatever reason. Too many people leave their local church or area because they are not prepared to have patience. Jesus is patient with us! Let’s dress in patience.
RESPONSE
So let’s dress like Jesus. Why would you want to wear the old fashions of your old life? Many people give much of their time to researching and buying fashionable clothing. Are we devoted to considering and dressing in the new wardrobe given to us by God?
THURSDAY – DRESS IN JESUS’ FORGIVENESS (3:13)
Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Can you imagine going to the local golf club with a view to join and they say, “you will have to bear a with each other and forgive one another…”? You might respond by wondering what kind of people become members here! Well, the church are those kind of members - imperfect people just like you!
Christian relationships will face challenges, that’s why the Bible talks so much about forgiveness! Without forgiveness, a local church remains small (people leaving because they’ve been hurt); it shatters (everyone leaves because they feel hurt); it becomes a community of quiet and simmering, even polite, discord; or, it becomes relationally formal and distant, each living very separate lives. Only through Jesus-like love and forgiveness will we reflect the beautiful grace of God in our community.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Again, Jesus-like behaviour is predicated upon what He has already done for us. Remembering the gospel is the key to healthy relationships of humility and forgiveness. One who is amazed at God’s forgiveness for them will not find it too hard to overlook offences and forgive others. Behind all unforgiveness is pride; and the cross levels all of us to sinners who are saved by His grace.
What is forgiveness
We get our definition from looking at Jesus: Paul says we are to ‘Forgive as the Lord forgave you’. Forgiveness is to release someone from their debt to you, and to pay the price for that debt yourself.
It’s to release people from the prison that you have made for them in your heart. It’s to say, “you are no longer guilty before me”. I hand judgement over to God.” To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.
It is to pay the price for their debt. ‘bearing’ with people is to pay the cost of having an ongoing relationship with that person. Choosing not to be bitter and gossip is a sacrifice for you. It is to bear the cost of deciding to want and pray for the best for that person.
RESPONSE
You need to ‘Forgive as the Lord forgave you’ - no exceptions! Jesus says in His model prayer, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Jesus is very serious about this.
We read in Matthew 18, ‘Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”’ Jesus’ response was to tell him the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. He begins, “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants….He then tells of the doom of an indebted servant who is forgiven much but refuses to forgive another. The Parable ends, “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
So let’s dress like Jesus, let’s forgive and we have been forgiven.
I’ve included some more information on forgiveness on the next page.
A forgiveness process:
- Redeemer – Thank God that although you are a sinner just like them, he has shown you grace. Meditate on scriptures, such as Ephesians 2:1-5, Colossians 2:13 etc. to aid in this.
- Express – Express Your hurt and sense of debt; express your need of the Spirit’s help to forgive.
- Decide – Forgiveness is not a feeling it is a ‘legal’ choice to act in mercy over judgment.
- Erase – Erase the debt list- be specific. Write it down and physically destroy it if that helps. We do this remembering how Jesus has erased and list of sins (See Colossians 2:14)
- Entrust – Entrust them to God’s perfect justice. He, not you, is the only judge and He deals with people perfectly.
- Mercy – Pray for their salvation; that they would receive the Redeemer, having their debts paid for.
- Embrace – Take initiative to restore any broken relationships if possible.
- Remember – You will remember the past and be tempted to return to bitterness; we must remember to keep choosing to forgive.
FRIDAY – DRESS IN JESUS’ LOVE (3:14)
Colossians 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
So far we have looked at dressing like Jesus: dressing in, 'compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… bearing with others…and forgiveness’. Now we are told to, ‘over all these’, like an overcoat, ‘put on love’.
How do we know what love is?
Love is to be patterned after Christ. Love is to lay one’s life down for the good of another. It’s this gospel-shaped pattern that is to shape all of the other elements that we are to ‘put on’. We are to put on ‘compassion’ that is designed on Jesus’ love; we are to put on ‘kindness’ that is conformed to Jesus’ love etc.
If we don’t ‘over all these virtues put on love’ we will design our ‘gentleness’ and ‘patience’ etc. after modern psychology, celebrity teachers, self-help gurus, heroes in history etc.
Let’s receive and then put on Jesus’ love. As John writes,
‘This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.’ (1 John 4:9-10)
RESPONSE
How well are you doing at putting on love? To make this more concrete, how often is your life severely inconvenienced for the good of others? In your use of time, talents and treasure are you sacrificing for the good others? If not, are you failing to ‘put on’ the love of Christ for you? Those who ‘dress in' His love for them, will ‘dress in’ His love for others. 2. COMMUNITY GROUP/FAMILY STUDY
PUT ON THE ROYAL ROBES
Opener – What was your most memorable experience of dressing in fancy-dress and why?
Read Colossians 3:10-14
Introduction
Last week we considered what we are to stop now that we are raised with Christ. This week we are considering what we are to start doing now that they have been raised with Christ. Paul uses the metaphor of dressing to speak of our changed behaviour.
Discuss together
- Alternative study: if you feel it’s appropriate, you might want to go through the ‘forgiveness process’ outlined In Thursday's study. Each person dealing with one person that they are struggling to forgive.
- 3:10. Christians are described as a ‘new self’. Into whose ‘image’ is this new self being made (see 1:16 also)
- 3:11. Paul gives examples of groups that were hostile to one another. What prejudices can we bring into the church from our old life?
- 3:11. How does knowing that ‘Christ is all and is in all’ remove divisions in the people of God?
- 3:12. What does Paul remind them of before asking them to ‘clothe yourselves’ in Improved behaviour? Why is this important?
- 3:12-14. Paul tells us to put on, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, Bearing with each other…forgiveness and love. How does each help to build church community? Perhaps you would like to pray for one another regarding attributes that you find hard to ‘put on’.
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