GOD\'S INSTRUCTIONS By Major. Frank Materu
Key Scripture:
“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:12-17)
Introduction
Indeed, each of us requires guidance from God in our lives.
As a loving Father, God teaches and leads us through His Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
In this passage from Colossians 3:12-17, we find essential instructions that teach us how to live in love, harmony, and peace within our community, while seeking to glorify God in everything we do.
In this world filled with many challenges, it is easy to find ourselves living according to human ways, following our own desires and intellect.
However, God offers us specific instructions that are vital for our lives, so we can live victoriously and in accordance with His will.
These instructions are unique and eternal, as they teach us to serve God with a spirit of gratitude and selflessness.
1. A Heart of Compassion and Love:
“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:12)
In this part of the scripture, God reminds us that we are His chosen people, holy and dearly loved, because of His love for us.
The things we are to “clothe” ourselves with are compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
This is guidance on how to live in love and harmony with one another.
Forgiveness, as God has forgiven us, is a core principle in our Christian lives.
Love is the binding force that unites everything, and without love, nothing in our lives can be truly complete.
2. The Peace of Christ as Our Guide:
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
(Colossians 3:14-15)
The peace of Christ should rule in our hearts.
God teaches us that whatever we do, whether in word or deed, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.
This peace is not just the absence of conflict, but a deep sense of tranquility and joy that comes from God Himself.
Christ’s peace helps us to remain thankful and live in harmony, while bringing us together as a united body of believers.
3. The Word of Christ and Wisdom:
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:16)
The message of Christ should dwell richly in us, and this teaches us that we gain wisdom by knowing Christ deeply.
Wisdom is what enables us to live lives of love, gratitude, and unity.
Through spiritual songs, psalms, and hymns, we glorify God and strengthen our faith.
Singing from the Spirit allows us to grow closer to God while sharing this bond with others.
4. Doing Everything in the Name of Jesus:
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
This instruction emphasizes that everything we do, whether by word or deed, must be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.
This means that all of our actions, whether big or small, should bring glory to God.
We are called to live with gratitude, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God.
By living with this mindset, we align ourselves with God’s purpose and honor Him in all that we do.
Conclusion:
In Christian life, God’s instructions are crucial for living in peace and gratitude.
Colossians 3:12-17 teaches us that as God’s chosen people, we are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
We are to live in love and gratitude, following the peace of Christ and letting the Word of Christ dwell richly within us.
Everything we do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, with thanksgiving to God the Father.
These instructions are not only essential for our personal lives but also for building a community filled with love and unity.
By following these guidelines, we become people of peace and gratitude, living in accordance with God’s will, and glorifying Him in everything we do.
Let us live with love, peace, and gratitude, doing all things in the name of the Lord Jesus and giving thanks for every blessing He provides.
This is the way to honor God and experience victory in our lives.
