Living The Christian Life

Commentary

As believers, we're deemed holy by God, and not only does He apply such a label to us, who are undeserving of such, He dearly loves us on top of it, evidenced by Jesus.

This places us in a position of expectation. As ones who should demonstrate an abundance of these attributes: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

But notice it says, “put on”, it's an active engagement of these things, not passive. We must choose to live by the Spirit of God, Who indwells us, and no longer by the rules of the world which we were once slaves to.

God demonstrated His true love for us, displaying these attributes to us in the person of Jesus (John 3:16). Because of this, we ought to be sharing each other’s burdens and supporting one another. Reining in our feelings and offense, freely offering forgiveness as the Lord has freely forgiven us. Because truly no one is more offensive than another, since we have all offended our Creator.

Commentary

What is it to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient? It's to be Christ-like. And that Christ-likeness comes from love. Without this Spirit-driven love, you and I are unable to do such things in a way that is sustainable and persistent.

Peter wrote that love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) If we're maintaining our love for one another, then you won't be doing wrong things to each other. That love will unify us as the Body of Christ. With it, nothing can tear apart the bond we should all have. If we're walking in love toward one another, then how can the enemy ever come in and sow discord among us?

Commentary

This is that peace which surpasses all understanding.

Be thankful that God has given you this peace. The world around us is never at peace. So many are struggling with pride and fear, which leads to wrongdoing toward each other, leading to strife and conflict. It seems more and more that people are at each other’s throats over the smallest things and severely harming or even murdering each other for things so insignificant that it’s truly devastating to see. This should not ever be tolerated among believers.

In Christ, we are unified into one body of believers, called to live in peace with one another and to complement one another as our own body parts complement each other. Will you struggle with this at times? Yes, of course, you’re only human. But should things like pride and fear take you to the point of strife with other believers? Absolutely not! You have been given the Spirit of the Most High.

Instead, you must let His peace wash over you. For in His peace comes a calm that keeps you from hostility and strife toward your brothers and sisters, keeping us together as the working parts of a single body, united under Christ Jesus.

Commentary

Live your life by the Word of God. It brings to us the wisdom of God and can be used to learn from and to teach one another, to correct and rebuke. It’s His Word which guides us and teaches us how to live for Him and one another.

The believer in Christ Jesus should be continually praising our God, on good days and bad days. Singing praises with your heart to the One who set you free.

When you choose to dwell on Him and His Word, your life will resemble what Scripture teaches. A heart that has absorbed the Word of God is a heart that sets out to do these things which please God, rather than that which pleases man. His Word is the bread which all believers need to live a healthy Christian life.

Commentary

We should not be a people who are rightfully called unstable, untrustworthy, abusive, or anything else like that; because all that we set out to do should be done with Christ at the center, with a heart intent on glorifying Him.

If you're at work, work for the Lord; if you're taking care of your children at home, take care of them as God teaches; if you're stuck in traffic, display the love and patience of the Holy Spirit, treating everyone with gentleness and respect.

Be mindful of all of the blessings that God has bestowed upon you each day. Sure, some days are rough; maybe that new job is hard to adjust to, or you're dealing with some really hopeless times; but in Christ is the hope, joy, strength, and endurance to make it through.

Counting all your blessings, great and small, will go a long way to setting your mind on the correct focus: Him. When your mind and heart are set on Him first, good things will come from you — the results of a life that is being transformed to the image of your Savior.