18.10.09 - Everyday Realities Of The New Life

I am sure we all remember the Elim Christian College’s tragedy in April last year when six pupils and one teacher were lost when the river rose suddenly. But what do we remember about it? We saw shots of the Mangatepopo Gorge and the river. Maybe those images are still in our minds but I suspect that the stronger memory is that of the response of the school and families. Often, when Christians appear on TV we cringe. It is embarrassing. That was an occasion when we could feel proud because of the way the parents, the students and the principle responded. There was no attempt to paper over the reality of their grief. It was raw grief but there was also peace. We saw gentleness and a lack of bitterness and recrimination. We saw profound caring for one another. North and South magazine named the principle, Murray Burton, New Zealander of the Year saying, “Mr Burton's compassion, grace and humanity through that time reached the entire country.”

"In the most challenging and heartbreaking of circumstances, he showed true leadership and, by his example, brought people together without anger or blame."

Gentleness, forgiveness, grace, humanity, without anger or blame. It seems to me that those are exactly the sort of words used in Colossians 3. Last week we looked at this same passage but we didn’t look at the details of what we are to do as Christians. We looked at the context which tell us why we should live in this way and how we can. Why? Because we have been raised to new life with Christ. In response to all that God has done for us, we should live a life worthy of Him. How can we? Because we have been raised to new life with Christ. We are new people, strengthened by God. This new life is now possible.

Today, let’s focus on what we are to do – the every day, rubber meets the road, realities of the new life.

It is fantastic to celebrate some baptisms and dedications today. Simon and Rachel have expressed their faith and promise to raise their children in godly homes. How can they show Christianity to their children? Hollie will do the same and will express her own faith in Jesus. Jesus is Saviour but these people are also saying that Jesus is Lord. They promise to live for Jesus. In this passage, Paul helps us know what that means. What are we to do? What does please God?

READ Colossians 3:1-17

There are two very distinct lists; two very distinct categories: things we are to do and things we are not to do. We should note how Paul describes each category. In vv.1, 2 he talks about “things above” as opposed to earthly things. v.5 lists some of the things that belong to our earthly nature and v.7 links those same things with the old life.

What I am saying is that earthly things are the things of the old life which are the things we to put to death and take off. That is one category. On the other hand, the things above are also the things of the new life which are also the things we are set our minds on and to clothe ourselves with. And these are the very things that are worthy of God and please Him and bring Him glory.

It is that list the Elim Christian College showed us. If we try to describe the characteristics listed, first and foremost, they are relational. It is about how we treat each other and how we get on, although “relational” doesn’t quite cover everything. In fact, the first things that Paul lists are sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed. They are about relationships but more they are about our own attitudes – the purity of our own thoughts and actions. Those first four are closely related. It is almost as if Paul says the same things four times although it moves from the specific to the general. Sexual immorality seems to speak of immoral actions. Impurity is more general in that there are more things than sexual acts that are impure and, in fact, our thoughts can be impure. “Lust” we often associate with sexuality but we can lust after all sorts of things including possessions. “Evil desires” are much more general. There are many evil desires but all of them, Paul is saying, are to be put to death. God is looking for a right heart – a pure heart. It is more demanding than actions. The new life makes requirements of our hearts and minds.

Jesus said that murder is not just a case of killing someone. Anger against another person is a form of murder. Adultery is not just the act. Looking on a woman lustfully is adulterous.

Then greed. Greed makes an idol of things. All of these attitudes, Paul says, bring the wrath of God.

Then the list moves to more specifically relational things, both positive and negative. Negative: anger – the slow, long, smouldering anger, rage – the fiery outburst of temper, malice – wanting to see someone hurt, slander – speaking negatively about someone, filthy language and lying. We are to rid ourselves of those things. Instead we are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. All of these are about thinking of the other person. Patience is kind of repeated because Paul goes on to say, “Bear with one another and forgive if you have any grievance. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

That last sentence again gives the why and the how. Why should we forgive? Because we have been forgiven. How should we forgive? In the same way that Jesus has forgiven us.

Again, that was one of the impressive features of the Elim Christian College response, I believe. You do occasionally hear wonderful stories of people who have suffered great loss, forgiving those who have wronged them. Forgiveness is worthy of the God who has also forgiven.

Over all these virtues put on love. Paul has used the image of clothing: you have taken off your old self; clothe yourselves with... Then, as if it is the garment that goes on over the top of all of the others, Paul says to put on love. Love is the crowning virtue. Love is the central command of Christianity: Love God and love your neighbour. God is love, so loving is, again, an act worthy of God.

The last few things listed are relational but they are actually about relationships and ministry to one another within the church. They start with the necessity of the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts. The phrase “members of one body” tells us that it is about the church but it also tells us that this is not about individuals feeling peaceful but it is about being at peace with one another. It brings to mind Romans 12:18: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

But then it talks about ministry to one another. Filled with the message of Christ, we are to teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs of the Spirit. Love for one another means that we care about each other’s progress and growth. Paul had described his own ministry as proclaiming Christ, teaching and admonishing everyone with all wisdom, so that he might present everyone fully mature in Christ (1:28). Now it is clear that church members are to continue that same ministry to one another.

When we think about what God requires of us, we might think of great works we are called to perform, but that is not the focus of this passage. Instead, the new life in Christ is demonstrated by issues of the heart and by our relationships. Yes, that does require ministry –serving – love, of course, involves action. But the focus is on the heart and on relationships. That is where our obedience and our Christlikeness are seen first and foremost. It is a reminder that Jesus said, “A new commandment I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples.” Love is the telling thing. Love is a more powerful witness than the things we do. Remember Paul said “I might do all sorts of amazing things but if I don’t have love, I am nothing.” Of course, love must be expressed in action, but first there must be love.

If you were going to be on TV for something, wouldn’t you like people to talk about what a gracious, loving person you were? Wouldn’t you like them to think well of God because of the lack of bitterness and lack of anger and lack of recrimination that they had witnessed? Actually, we don’t have to be on TV. We just have to be visible to our families and friends and workmates. Do they see those qualities? We can set our hearts on noble things – good, godly, Christ-like things like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness. These things can be our desire and aim. In this new life that Jesus gives us we can aim high – aim at noble things – and we can be noble – we can be like Jesus – because of the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us. Set your hearts and minds on things above.