Her response to the gospel was the same. How then do you deal with people that irritate you or even do you wrong? Issues of Sin. 6:15; 18:35). plaining about. Conflicts are inevitable because even simple differences of opinion and purpose cause frustration, hindrance or even blockage of the goals or desires of others. We who were dead in our transgressions were made alive together with Jesus with all of our sins forgiven since they were nailed to the cross with Christ (Colossians 2:13-14 – See: The Superiority of Being in Christ). Paul then uses the conjunction kathos (“just as”) in 3:13 to introduce a comparison that modifies the participial phrase. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. It would be more suitable to render it, Before all these things. NIV, Storyline Bible, Comfort Print: Each Story Plays a Part. This morning we come to the next three virtues; bearing with one another; forgiving each other and putting on love above all (Colossians 3:13-14). It is why we treat those who are inferior in ability and accomplishments with genuine respect. Go To Book of Colossians Index. 2 – Living on a Higher Plane. How then do you bear up when others treat you improperly, even cruelly? With admonitions like these, we step into the intimate personal relationships within a congregation or family. Being raised with Christ changes everything about how we deal with other people. How does God forgive us in Christ for salvation? I remember the time many years ago when I loaned some money to Debbie, a non-Christian co-worker who was seriously ill. Jesus paid the price for sin and offers forgiveness, but unless it is received, there is no reconciliation and the unbelie There are people around that make going to the dentist for a root canal seem like a pleasurable alternative. However, she continued to insist on repaying me, but her guilt over not being able to do so caused her to start avoiding me and then shun me. For that reason, the old man, the person we used to be, is to be laid aside for he has died and we are not to keep dragging that old corpse around with us any longer. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. I want to expand on this whole idea of forgiveness since it is so often misunderstood even within Christian circles going to both extremes. Salvation is conditional, not universal. We also find that the non-Christian is usually patient with those they love – and those they fear. (B) 14 And over all these virtues put on love,(C) which binds them all together in perfect unity.(D). Forgiveness “signifies the remission of the punishment due to sinful conduct” (Vines), and God grants forgiveness as the outworking of His love for us. There are steps to this confrontation. Introduction. John Piper Feb 18, 2007 638 Shares Message. And above all these things — As including them all, and indeed being the source from whence they flow; put on charity — Την αγαπην, love, namely, to God, his people, and all mankind; which is the bond of perfectness — Which both contains the whole of Christian perfection, and connects all the parts of it together. Not only bearing one another's burdens, and with one another's weaknesses, but forbearing to render evil for evil, or railing for railing, or to seek revenge for affronts given, in whatsoever way, whether by words or deeds: and forgiving one another; There are unconditional and unilateral elements in forgiveness and it can be accomplished this way in certain situations when the conflicts are minor. Sign up here! If the conflict is causing your relationship to be strained and it is uncomfortable to be around the person, then you probably need to talk with them and try to work things out. Paul expands on this in Galatians 6:1-5 saying that seeking to restore an erring brother is to be done in a spirit of gentleness while also looking to yourself, lest you be tempted. Colossians 3:14-17. The Offer of Forgiveness. Those who are sensitive to such offenses work harder at it, for they must consciously set aside the transgression. Bilateral Forgiveness. Ideally, the matters are quickly resolved with the needed apologies resulting in forgiveness and reconciliation between both parties. 3). The more your mind is controlled by the new man instead of the old selfish mindset and sinful habits, the easier it will be to view your circumstances according to God’s perspective instead of your own limited one. Elizabeth Elliot, Olive Fleming, Mary Lou McCulley, Marge Saint and Barbara Youderian had their husbands murdered by the Auca Indians as they tried to make contact and establish a missions work among them. It can no longer be overlooked. Colossians Greeting. Read Introduction to Colossians “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 1 Peter 4:8 tells us, “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Corinthians 13:5 describes this aspect of love as “not taking into account a wrong suffered” (NAS). Forgiveness. Kindness and humility describe the temper of mind of the new man. You dont win races if you dont enter them. However, granting forgiveness does not mean forgiveness is accepted. I forgave Debbie, but she did not accept it, and so the relationship was destroyed. Paul lists out five virtues in Colossians 3:12 which we examined last week. Title: Colossians is named for the city of Colossae, where the church it was addressed to was located. Let me quickly point out that both parties in a conflict are responsible before God to seek reconciliation. On the unilateral side, an individual can choose to overlook an offense. When can forgiveness be unconditional and unilateral? The greater tragedy is that normally people complain to one another about other people instead of going to the person that they are com Put on the __________________and live for Christ, As those ________of God, holy and beloved, we are to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle & patient, Non-Christians can feel compassion for those suffering, but Christians are to have this for their ________, The unregenerate desire good for those they like; believers desire good for all even those who _____them, Sinful people can be humble before a superior, Christians are ____________even with those inferior, Any one can learn to be courteous, but believers are gentle to please the ______, not to manipulate others, Non-Christians can be patient with those they love – and fear; Christians are to be patient with ________, These virtues are put into practice by _________ and divinely empowered, This adds to patience & long suffering the element of holding up against a thing and so to __________, We are not to let our circumstances and trial drag us ___________ – 1 Corinthians 4:11-13, Ephesians 4:1-3 – Forbearing is simply part of ___________in a manner worthy of Jesus’ calling of us, You can bear up when you have put on the new man to walk according to ____________ instead of self, Forgiving Each Other – Colossians 3:13 (carizovmenoi eJautoi'” / charidzomenoi heautois), The Need for Forgiveness – complaining & blaming have been a ___________human trait since the fall, Conflicts are _______________because they can arise from even simple difference of opinion & purpose, The root of quarreling and conflict is our ____________________ and envy – James 4:1-3, Foundations for Forgiveness – Forgiveness arises from the other virtues which are all founded on _____, Forgiveness “signifies the ________________ of the punishment due to sinful conduct” (Vines), God grants forgiveness as the outworking of His ____________ for us in Christ, The Goal of Forgiveness – bring about the reconciliation of the relationships damaged by ___________, ______________ is necessary to bring about forgiveness – Matthew 7:3-5; Galatians 6:1-5, Peace is not possible with all men, but we are to do ________________ to make it possible, Unilateral Forgiveness – Christians should _________be ready to forgive – Matthew 5:7; 6:15; 18:21-35, An individual can choose to ______________an offense – Proverbs 19:11; 17:14; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 Cor. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms [and] hymns [and] spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. But that brings up the next virtue, which is even more difficult. 3:14 is a continuation of the command in 3:12 to clothe themselves. There are also a lot of options for a Christian, but they range from trying to ignore them in some manner to making them into a friend. Because of our identity in Christ we are now able to set aside our selfishness and prejudices and freely embrace as brothers and sisters all others who belong to Christ regardless of their ethnic or cultural heritage, socioeconomic level or former religious background (Colossians 3:11 – (See: Mortifying the Flesh, Pt. Paul and Barnabas got into a conflict that split their missions team over a difference of opinion about taking John Mark with them (Acts 15:38,39). What does that example teach us about forgiving others? (If you would like to receive Pastor Harris’ weekly sermons via e-mail, Click Here), (If you would like to download the PowerPoint presentation for this sermon, Click here), (Greek words can be viewed with symbol font), Christian Virtues, Pt. Scripture: Colossians 3:13. Unilateral Forgiveness. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead proved the acceptance of the sacrifice and the truth of His promises to forgive those that place their faith in Him. Paul then continues on to list and discuss three more virtues in the verses that follow along with encouragement in putting them into practical action. Define the five virtues listed in Colossians 3:12 and explain the difference in behavior between a Christian and an unbeliever or immature Christian in carrying them out. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.” Colossians 3:13-14 “Bear with each other and Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan. The bowels of compassion spoken of here is an emotional response of sympathy and empathy for those who are suffering. Colossians 3:14. There are many things we will suffer at the hands of others ranging from mildly irritating to severe persecution, yet in all of them we are to continue on in the virtues already talked about and go forward. Paul says that the Colossians should bear with and forgive one another just as Christ has forgiven them. Dutchess County In today’s devotion, we will be looking at Colossians … Colossians 3:13-14 Put On the New Self. Discuss with yo It is true that God’s forgiveness in salvation is certainly unilateral from the stand point of its offer, for man does not seek it on his own and apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, no man seeks after God at all (Rom. Colossians 3:14 and above all these things {put on} love, which is the bond of perfectness. Acts 6 & 7 record that Stephen was able to do this and so was able to respond with compassion toward those who were stoning him crying out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” even as he died. Instead, we are to put on the new man because we are new creatures in Christ and we are to now live in a manner that pleases our Lord (Colossians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Colossians 3:14 Religion That Changes Us by Mary Wilder Tileston; Colossians 3:13-17 Beware of False Peace! Forgiving Each Other – Colossians 3:13 (carizovmenoi eJautoi'” / charidzomenoi heautois). A broken relationship requires forgiveness to be a transaction between both parties. Marriage: Forgiving and Forbearing. The Glory of God and Why We Sing. It is done out of love for the one in sin in the same way that children are disciplined because we love them (Hebrews 12:4-11). On account of all these things. On the unilateral side, Christians are to individually be willing to forgive. I want to examine each of these with an effort to explain how they arise out of being a new man raised up with Christ, and how they can be fulfilled in practical terms even with those that irritate you the most. For the non-Christian, there are a lot of options ranging from trying to ignore them in some manner to murder. If they do not, a mediator can be brought into help if they are willing, but either way you leave the offer on the table and pray for their change of heart. I owed a debt I could not pay, so He paid it for me and offered me forgiveness. See How They All Connect. They are divinely empowered, but they are put into practice by faith. What gives Christians the ability to behave so differently than non-Christians? That includes forgiving others in the same way in which the Lord has forgiven us. These supreme acts of forgiveness could only be done because they had put on the new self so that Jesus Christ was the first priority in their lives. The believer is delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13  See: The Prayer for the Colossians, Pt. Colossians 3:13, NASB : "bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you." Colossians 3:13. If you remember our study from last week in Colossians 3:12, Paul begins to tell believers what to put on. However, as conflict escalates there arise of necessity conditional and bilateral aspects to forgiveness. 13 h bearing with one another and, i if one has a complaint against another, g forgiving each other; g as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. When does forgiveness require both parties to be involved? In Christ we can be forgiven. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. What is the importance of forgiveness? What happens if the other person refuses to reconcile – either forgive or accept forgiveness? Humility allows more give and take between humans in the quest to find a resolution to the conflict that will then glorify our Lord. When that happens, the relationship remains broken and has subsequent consequences. Just discussing it may quickly resolve any issues or misunderstandings, or you may find that though your relationship was strained, it is actually of such a minor nature that you choose to now unilaterally overlook the offense without any action on the part of the offender. Colossians 3:13(NASB) Verse Thoughts Paul presents us with some important doctrinal issues on the superiority and pre-eminence of Christ and the sufficient strength He gives to each one of us, day by day. 11 To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; 12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; 13 when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, [even] until now. Without love, relationships are only something to be manipulated in order to achieve your own selfish desires, and there is no basis for true forgiveness in that. We are not to let our circumstances and trials drag us down. John Piper Feb 11, 2007 579 Shares Sermon. Patience here is long-suffering and is the quality of having self control to be able to wait, persevere, and endure without complaint. 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