Have you ever watched any animal planet shows about raccoons? They are nocturnal creatures and very curious by nature. And they love shiny things. To catch a raccoon, put something shiny in a container with an opening just big enough to put their hand through. When they see it, they will reach in and grab hold of the item only now they can’t get their hand out of the hole. They will not let go of the shiny item. The key to their freedom is letting go but they refuse.
As humans, we are the same way. We take hold of pride, self-centeredness, egoism, and a life about “me” and we will not let go of that life. Paul knows that about us and address how we conquer that mindset and live more like Jesus. As he writes the church in Colossae, Paul tells them and us today what we need to do for a more Christ-like life in Colossians 3:12-15.
Paul starts by saying that everyday, we need to wear tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. If we decide everyday to put these five things on before we leave home, we’ll look just like Jesus.
You and I decide what shirt, pants and shoes to wear everyday before we leave the house. And Paul wants us to realize that if we believe Jesus is who he said he was (Colossians 1), and we do what Jesus wants us to do (Colossians 2), then we’ll live like Colossians 3.
I challenge you to post a note with those five things on it on your bathroom mirror or car dash to be reminded of how we are called to live everyday, living for Jesus’ glory and honor.
Paul also reminds us that we have been forgiven of our wrongdoing by God so we too must forgive others. We are currently a very offended people. We live currently in the so called, “Cancel culture”. Everything is changing and being cancelled because we are offended by it.
As a follower of Jesus, we must forgive and not hang on to the things people say and do to us that might make us feel bad. So many of us raise our hands in worship and when we do, God only sees the offense we are holding on to. God can’t put more blessings in your hands when they are full of other things.
Each of us want peace in our life. Paul tells us in verse 15 to let the peace of Christ live in your hearts. Our DNA allows us to be angry and upset. We can be angry about a family in a 3rd world country who doesn’t have money for food, medicines or shelter. They live on less than a dollar a day. That can bring a move on your part to help that change.
Or we can have some righteous indignation over people groups who do not have the Bible in their language. You and I probably have 2-3 Bibles in our home but it’s hard to believe some people have never heard of Jesus. So that can bring us to do something about it.
Anger can visit; it just can’t live in our hearts. Frustration can light a fire but not become our life. Letting the peace of Christ live in our hearts is the only way we will mature, grow up, have restful nights, and blossoming relationships. When we allow Jesus to rule our emotions and thoughts, we will have a better life.
What if you and I made a decision everyday to be people who are full of tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience for others? What if you and I made a decision to let go and forgive those who wrong us? What if we made a decision to be people of peace and change our circles of influence? Everyday is new. Everyday is a possibility for better. Blessings on your journey.