Christ Preeminence is Detailed to the Colossians Volume 31

Paul Demands of these Colossian Believers to always show Love to One Another Part 1

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; KJV

Inside the home where earthly Father and Mother come together or know one another or make love and there is produced children in the flesh sons and daughters, there is where they are shown love and taught love for their parents, as well as their other siblings. That love taught, nurtured, and expressed is unconditional and rendered to one another because of the blood ties and the time spent together cultivating said love. Although this love is real and strong it is still inferior to the love of God known by the Greek word 'agape', therefore, we find here the Apostle Paul knowing these things demanding that these believers in Colosse and we believers everywhere we are today scattered all over the world always seek to love one another because of belonging to and being adopted by God the Father through the selfless sacrifice of God the Son powered by God the Holy Spirit as he first declares with these words, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;" (Colossians 3:12) (KJV). If there is such strong, sure, and sacred love in the homes of many earthly people without God, then surely there ought to be an even stronger, more solid, and certain love that exist between believers in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ in the Church of God. Paul begins by using the same expression he used earlier in telling them and us today to put off 'anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth and lying to one another', so here he now in contrast to those things tells us to 'put on' these following things in our relationship and interactions with 'one another'.

First, he declares to these Colossian believers that they are the 'elect' of God. This English word 'elect' is translated by the Greek word eklektos meaning one selected or chosen out of or by implication favorite. These Colossian believers and we who trust Christ Jesus our Lord today are the chosen people of God, surely not because we are good or deserving (we're none of that just sinners), but this is a mystery that frankly I do not understand or comprehend and I would hope no one reading this would let this get out, but I simply don't understand it, but I believe it with all my heart as the Apostle Paul wrote with these words concerning faith, "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see {and} the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]." (Hebrews 11:1) (Amplified Bible). Therefore, election or those chosen by God the Father is what He decrees, declares, and decides and who is any little man or woman to argue with or question Him, for we remember these words spoken by our Lord Jesus in His prayer to God the Father just before He was about to be Crucified for our sins, "I have manifested Your Name [I have revealed Your very Self, Your real Self] to the people whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, and You gave them to Me, and they have obeyed {and} kept Your word." (John 17:6) (Amplified Bible).

As the 'beloved' of God whom these Colossian believers were and we believers today are, then we must with one another put on 'bowels of mercies'. The English word 'bowels' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word splagchnon meaning figuratively pity or sympathy: - bowels, inward affection, + tender mercy. In other words, we should have an internal desire to see and help in whatever capacity we are blessed to do so our brothers and sisters 'in Christ' as our Lord Jesus Himself sees them and we are to be His agents in bringing them relief from afflictions, persecutions, and sorrow as each of us sojourn, pilgrim, and make our way through this life to our heavenly home with Christ. We should at all times seek to express 'kindness' to one another instead of anger or malice and this English word 'kindness' is translated by the Greek word chrestotes meaning to act toward one in a given manner of goodness and gentleness. In other words, although there are certainly to be disputes, disagreements, and discourse as found in every earthly family and will also be found in God's family (the Church), we are not to resort to the actions of the unbelievers trying to hurt others due to these disagreements.

Unfortunately, some of the Corinthian believers were doing just that and the Apostle had to sternly rebuke them for this with these words, "If then you do have such cases of everyday life to decide, why do you appoint [as judges to lay them before] those who [from the standpoint] of the Church count for least {and} are without standing? I say this to move you to shame. Can it be that there really is not one man among you who [in action is governed by piety and integrity and] is wise {and} competent enough to decide [the private grievances, disputes, and quarrels] between members of the brotherhood, But brother goes to law against brother, and that before [Gentile judges who are] unbelievers [without faith or trust in the Gospel of Christ]? Why, the very fact of your having lawsuits with one another at all is a defect (a defeat, an evidence of positive moral loss for you). Why not rather let yourselves suffer wrong {and} be deprived of what is your due? Why not rather be cheated (defrauded and robbed)? But [instead it is you] yourselves who wrong and defraud, and that even your own brethren [by so treating them]!" (1 Corinthians 6:4-8) (Amplified Bible), but we are to do just the opposite of this by showing and being gentle with one another settling our differences by hearing out both sides and allowing another well respected and loved brother or sister in the Church decide in the dispute and both disagreeing parties excepting the decision in the love of Christ and moving on, so as not to bring harm or division to the entire body of believers in the Church.

The English phrase 'humbleness of mind' is translated by one Greek word tapeinophrosune meaning humiliation of mind, that is, modesty: - humbleness of mind, humility (of mind), lowliness (of mind). In other words, we should not see ourselves as some great person in intellect or ability, but instead we should see ourselves in the light of Christ Jesus our Lord which would make us see that we are woefully inadequate in every aspect of our lives, therefore, we should be mindful to see or esteem other believers as more knowledgeable, more loving, more compassionate, and all around more adequate than ourselves and if every believer in Jesus Christ would do this, then there would be no room for ego's and fights over status or title in the Church of Christ as Paul said in this manner to the Philippian believers, "So by whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening {and} consoling {and} encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy, Fill up {and} complete my joy by living in harmony {and} being of the same mind {and} one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind {and} intention. Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit {and} empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than {and} superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Let each of you esteem {and} look upon {and} be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. Let this same attitude {and} purpose {and} [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God {and} in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped {or} retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men {and} was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased {and} humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!" (Philippians 2:1-8) (Amplified Bible).

The English word meekness is translated by the Greek word praotes meaning gentleness; by implication humility: - meekness and also it simply means strength that is under control and that control by God as Moses was declared to be the meekest man on earth as the Scripture says here, "Now the man Moses was very meek (gentle, kind, and humble) {or} above all the men on the face of the earth." (Number 12:3) (Amplified Bible), but we must not forget that Moses killed an Egyptian before God made him meek, "One day, after Moses was grown, it happened that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of [Moses'] brethren. He looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand." (Exodus 2:11-12) (Amplified Bible), therefore, we see then that meekness is not what man makes himself, but what God works in man, any man who would yield to Him. The English word 'longsuffering' is translated by the Greek word makrothumia meaning with long (enduring) temper, that is, leniently: - patiently. In other words, we are to be patient with one another knowing and understanding that we all are still stained with many imperfections, impurities, and incompetence’s, but we are each beloved of our Heavenly Father, therefore, we must see one another as He sees us through the blood of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ as it is said of God the Father with these words, "But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy {and} loving-kindness and truth." (Psalm 86:15) (Amplified Bible).

"The fact that you thus belong to one and the same Church; that you have been redeemed by the same blood, and chosen by the same grace, and that you are all brethren, should lead you to manifest a spirit of kindness, gentleness, and love."  Albert Barnes

"The only virtues touched on here are the various manifestations of love, such as quick susceptibility to others’ sorrows; readiness to help by act as well as to pity in word; lowliness in estimating one’s own claims, which will lead to bearing evils without resentment or recompensing the like." Alexander MacLaren

"If we love deeply our earthly brothers and sisters, children, and parents in the flesh (and we do, I know I do), then of how much deeper our love should be for those who have tasted of the heavenly calling from Jesus Christ our Lord and become a part of His very own Glorified Body to spend not 20, 30, 40, 50, or even 100 years together, but for all eternity forever together." Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…