Dwelling in Unity

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians and reminded them that they were chosen ones and that they were holy and beloved. So they had the power to act in a way that reflected the character and nature of Jesus. It was still a free will choice. Maintaining a sense of unity in the Body of Christ was one of their biggest challenges as Christians. Their attitudes and words could deteriorate into backbiting or gossip, malicious words and fits of temper and rage. Instead of that they could ‘put on’ ‘compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience’.

Compassionate hearts means having empathy towards others, putting the needs of others above our own, encouraging one another and using words that build others up. Instead of getting angry we can ‘get kind’. We can show by our actions that we appreciate others.

Humility means valuing the giftings of others and not thinking of ourselves as superior. Meekness is perhaps better understood as the word gentleness. It doesn’t mean that we never confront others but we need to do it in a loving way with the motivation of wanting to improve our relationship with them.

Patience is not getting frustrated when others are less fast and efficient than us or thinking our goals are more important than those of others. Paul goes on to say ‘bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive’ (Colossians 3:13). We can choose to overlook the mistakes of others, treating them as we would like them to treat us.

It’s all about loving one another as Jesus loved us ‘And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony’ (Colossians 3:14).

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father we thank You that we are holy and beloved in Your eyes. May we reflect our Lord Jesus in the way we relate to others. May we be able to put on ‘compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience’. Amen.