Colossians 3:12-17 Amplified Bible
12 So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper];
13 bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.
14 Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].
15 Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].
16 Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Paul Expands on Jesus' Golden Rule
In these six verses, Paul gives believers in Christ a blueprint for living. Indeed, these six verses contain many lessons for us.
In fact, and not altering the words or meaning of Christ in any way, these six verses are an expansion of the “Golden Rule” that He taught. Again, a blueprint for living the Christian life.
Let us look briefly at them.
Anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, is now one of God’s chosen people. We are now the “chosen people or race” only because of our acceptance and belief in Jesus Christ. Not only the chosen people, but a royal priesthood and a people for God’s own possession, being made holy in the eyes of God through the blood of His Son.
1 Peter 2:9 Amplified Bible
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
As one of the chosen people of God, we are to have a heart of love and compassion, being kind, humble, gentle and patient with all around us. This includes even those who have hurt or harmed us in any way.
As a consequence of the love for others that we are to have, we are to also forgive others, no matter what complaint or hurt we might feel. Why? Because through the blood of Jesus Christ we are forgiven of our sins, we should willingly forgive others who have wronged us.
We are to have peace, within ourselves and with all others. We should avoid strife and contention as best as possible and we are to live a life of peace. Paul teaches that we will have that peace or inner calm if we walk daily with Christ.
We are also to study and meditate on God’s word. We are to let the spoken word of Christ (red letters in the Bible) dwell in our hearts and minds. Meditating upon it as we study it daily, letting the words of Jesus penetrate and become imbedded in our mind.
And finally, Paul teaches us that in whatever we do in our daily lives, whether in word or in deed, we are to do it in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
What Would Jesus Do?
Years ago, the acronym WWJD was popular among Christians. It stood for “What Would Jesus Do?” and it is a great spiritual practice to live by.
Whenever a situation presents itself that bothers, angers or perplexes you ask yourself WWJD?
Whenever you feel uncomfortable with the actions of others around you ask yourself WWJD?
If you think the lessons in these six versus sound like the Golden Rule of Jesus, you are correct. It is a blueprint for the Christian life. If we live by these six verses, we will be living the “Golden Rule” of Jesus.
Simply treating others as Jesus would and as we want to be treated.
Matthew 7:12 Amplified Bible
12 “So then, in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you, for this is [the essence of] the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets.
Meek is NOT Weak
Some today want to call these teachings “woke” or “weak”, which is very dangerous territory upon which to trod, as they are the teachings of God incarnate, our Lord and Savior.
To the contrary, to live as Christ taught us is to live in the strength of Him, being the light of the world that He wants us to be.
Let us live faithfully by the words of our Lord and Paul, making sure that whatever we do, in words or in deeds, we do it in the name of Jesus.
Never failing to give thanks to God our Father.
RVH