Ephesians 4:2–4 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace…
The agape love of God covers us in His mercy and grace. Should we not offer the same to others. If we seek Him we will find Him. If we ask for guidance we will receive it. If we knock on the door of the knowledge and wisdom of God it will be opened. Carla
Colossians 3:12-17
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (NKJV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly is apparently a parallel thought to Paul’s statement in Ephesians 5:18 where he says to be “filled with the Spirit.” The hymns would be the songs of the church that reflected the new truth in Christ. Spiritual songs may have been other kinds of songs praising God. Paul sums up how Christians should live. We should commit everything we do or say to Jesus and continually thank God for all His good gifts (Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14).The NKJV Study Bible
Originally, God chose the nation of Israel to be His people (Deuteronomy 14:2; Romans 9:4–5). However, because such distinctions are rendered irrelevant in Christ (Colossians 3:11), Paul affirms the Colossian believers as being among God’s chosen people.
Believers must have patience with one another, even while enduring difficult situations. Even in the community of believers, the actions of some offend or hurt others; how believers respond is critical. Experiencing God’s forgiveness shows that believers must forgive one another (Luke 7:47).
The Greek word used here for peace, eirēnē, refers to wholeness or the absence of conflict in a relationship.
Paul commands the Colossians to express gratitude for the things they have and the people in their lives. Gratitude is a safeguard against grumbling and complaining, both of which can ruin a community.
The word of Christ refers either to the gospel message about Christ or to Christ’s teaching (as opposed to human philosophies or traditions; Colossians 2:8).
Faithlife Study Bible
The false teachers were instructing the Colossians to concentrate on temporal observances; in contrast, Paul instructs them to concentrate on the eternal realities of heaven. The Greek verb for set emphasizes an ongoing decision. Christians must continually discipline themselves to focus on eternal realities, instead of the temporal realities of this earth. A Christian’s life is no longer dictated by this world but is hidden with Christ. The Greek word for hidden indicates that God has accomplished this in the past so that it is a present reality. The NKJV Study Bible
Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 5:19–20
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Corinthians 10:31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Colossians 1:28
Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
Our world lost a very bright light yesterday. Rest in Peace, Dolly Parton.
In a world where differences make walls and enemies, she had a unique ability to bring Americans together for good causes.
In a world where having “more” is a measure of power, her lifelong philanthropy was fueled by her reputation for kindness and generosity.
Generosity, heart, and light. An audacious, unexpected life.
It’s the little gifts my friends. To hug the hurt. Kiss the broken. Bandage the wounded. Befriend the lost. Stand up for the humiliated. Little gifts of compassion leave people better than we find them.
And I’ll give a shoutout to Dolly. Our world needs people who spill light.
And my gratitude to John Pavlovitz, for these final words honoring Dolly.
“In the coming days, there will be countless, well-deserved tributes devoted to her seismic songwriting and singing career, her formidable business acumen, her indefatigable optimism, and her easy, infectious joy.
Dolly will be rightly eulogized for the effortless grace she moved through the world with, for the gentleness she extended to every person in her path, and for the humility she somehow managed to hold onto despite reaching near-sainthood status among fans, admirers, and peers alike.
Her life and career have and will provide an inexhaustible treasure trove of lessons for those of us who remain—and for those on the horizon of history who will not have had the great fortune to live here while she did.
She could have partnered with the legion of malevolent power-holders, motivated only by the insatiable allure of more. She could have exploited the influence she acquired to amass even greater fortune.
Instead, Dolly Parton spent her life giving her wealth away.” Sabbath Moments
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