Saturday, May 6, 2017

PT-4 "The Performance of the New Man (Colossians 3:12-13)


SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 5/6/2017 9:58 PM

My Worship Time                                                  Focus:  PT-4 “The Performance of the New Man”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Colossians 3:12-13

            Message of the verses:  “12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”

            We begin this evening looking at the word “kindness.”  Chrestotes, (Kindness) “1) moral goodness, integrity 2) benignity, kindness” (Greek/English Dictionary).”    This Greek word is closely related to the word “compassion” as it refers to the grace that pervades the whole person, mellowing all that might be harsh.  The person who is compassionate and kind is concerned as much about his neighbor’s needs as he is his.  MacArthur adds “God is kind, even to ungrateful and evil people (Luke 6:35).  In fact, it was His kindness that led us to repentance (Rom. 2:4; cf. Titus 3:4).  Jesus’ kindness was expressed in His invitation to ‘take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My load is light’ (Matt. 11:29-30).  Kindness was epitomized by the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), whose example we should follow.”

            Tapeinophrosune (humility) is a word that when used in classical Greek, along with all of its related words always had a negative connotation.  Once Christianity came along it was then elevated humility to a virtue.  This word is the antidote for self-love that poisons relationships.  MacArthur adds “Paul advocates genuine humility, in contrast to the false humility of the false teachers (cf. 2:18, 23).  Humility characterized Jesus (Matt. 11:29), and it is the most cherished Christian virtue (Eph. 4:2; Phil. 2:3ff.; 1 Peter 5:5.”

            We will look at gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another, in our next SD.

5/6/2017 10:20 PM

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