ColossiansSample

Have you ever felt real peace? The feeling of clarity is like a breath of fresh air, not restricted by anything at all. The feeling of freedom, no fear of whispering behind your back or fear of speaking up face to face.

We are offered perfect peace in Christ and his body- the Church. After calling out sin, Paul introduces the characteristics of God’s chosen people: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. Notice each of these qualities has roles to play in relationship. I wonder if we put on these new selves fully- if we were fully kind, patient, and forgiving, would we still have conflict?

Paul calls the church members of the same body, called to peace. Members of the body function in unity, but each member has a unique role, each with equal importance. With that groundwork, Paul defines some of the household roles. Without the understanding of God’s love for all his children and the expectation of his followers to love, these roles are received as limitations. That is not God’s design!

Paul tells wives to submit to their husbands. This feels like a bold statement nowadays, but there’s more. Then he calls husbands to love their wives. Not just an emotional, romantic love but a deep, sacrificial love. This word for love means placing the other above yourself. Wouldn’t you respect your significant other’s judgment if you believed they had this kind of love for you?

He calls children to obey their parents, taking a step further than the law of honoring their father and mother. Not because Paul says so but because God says so. Again, Paul speaks to the other party too. Parents aren’t supposed to let expectations or harshness get in the way of love so their children don’t become discouraged.

Now, Paul addresses slaves and their masters. Who he calls slaves are not what we immediately consider slaves. These would be more like our perception of servants. Paul tells them to be obedient and work as if they were working for the Lord. This applies to all our academic and professional roles. Then he calls masters to be just and fair to their slaves- elevating slaves with dignity that they deserve a certain level of treatment as children of the Lord.

1. Are you at peace with who God has made you?
2. Are you at peace with the body of Christ?
3. Do you need to correct your observance of the role God has given you in your family?