...and now, much like a naked emperor, we have in essence rewritten Colossians 3:12-17 to read:
"Since God is most fond of your political party, clothe yourselves with condemnation, accusations, being right at any cost, steadfast positions and intolerance. Point out your enemy's faults and make them pay for their offenses. Remember, this is war, show no mercy.
Above all, clothe yourselves with self-righteousness, because your cause is just. And let the anger of others’ wrongs burn in your heart. For as members of your political party you are called to live in a war paradigm. So remember your enemy’s offenses.
Let the message of your favorite cable news show, in all its fervor, inflame your
lives. Teach and incite all your friends with all the dogma it provides. Fill
Facebook and Twitter with the clichés of your politics with reckless abandon. And
whatever you do or say, make sure you represent your political party and its ideals
well, giving thanks to cable news that keeps it all going.” Argumose 3:12-17
Now, the real deal - Colossians 3:12-17
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
To “clothe ourselves” means this is something you and I must do. It’s action- oriented. It’s a moment-by-moment, day-by-day choice. Notice that mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience are not the ways of politics. Nor is making allowance for and forgiving other’s faults. They are the way of Jesus.
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
We must put on love and be people of harmony—togetherness—people of peace. The way of politics is enemies in a war paradigm. The way of Christ is unity in a love paradigm.
“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
Let the message of Jesus fill our lives. Excel at the application of biblical precepts, not political platforms. Live out of a thankful heart, not out of fear of losing political ground. Whatever we say or post on Facebook and Twitter, let it reflect the way of our Savior.
Let all of our words, spoken, tweeted or Facebooked, be worthy of the life that was paid for by the blood of Jesus the Christ.
Now, the real deal - Colossians 3:12-17
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
To “clothe ourselves” means this is something you and I must do. It’s action- oriented. It’s a moment-by-moment, day-by-day choice. Notice that mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience are not the ways of politics. Nor is making allowance for and forgiving other’s faults. They are the way of Jesus.
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
We must put on love and be people of harmony—togetherness—people of peace. The way of politics is enemies in a war paradigm. The way of Christ is unity in a love paradigm.
“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
Let the message of Jesus fill our lives. Excel at the application of biblical precepts, not political platforms. Live out of a thankful heart, not out of fear of losing political ground. Whatever we say or post on Facebook and Twitter, let it reflect the way of our Savior.
Let all of our words, spoken, tweeted or Facebooked, be worthy of the life that was paid for by the blood of Jesus the Christ.
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