Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savoir and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from Col. 3. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- The coming of the Lord Jesus as the Savior of the world is a wonderful thing to celebrate. It is the most consequential event in human history thus far, surpassing even the fall of Adam and Eve into sin. It will be the most consequential event until Judgment Day – and even on Judgment Day, what God has done for us in Christ Jesus, His birth, suffering, death, and resurrection, will be determinative in the destiny of those who are saved by God’s grace, through faith.
- These are “GOD’S CHOSEN ONES,” of whom Paul writes in our text. Those who are believers in Christ are the fruit of Christ’s birth and passion – what He sought to accomplish. As such we are gloriously blessed. And we continue to be blessed as the Word of Christ dwells in us and brings forth a multitude of changes in us!
- This is the real joy of Christmas – what Christ came to provide for us, and what God has delivered to us through His precious Word and Sacraments. The result is the fellowship of believers, the Christian Church, as it continues to gather to hear His Word and to sing our praises to Him.
- It is good to consider what is spoken of us by God in His Word – to learn and to rejoice! For we who believe in Christ Jesus are “GOD’S CHOSEN ONES,” and this means that:
I. We Are Dedicated To God Now As If We Were His Firstborn
Text: “Put on then as God’s chosen ones.”
A. He Has Already Made Us Holy And Beloved
Text: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved.”
1 John 1:7 “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.”
Eph. 5:25-27 “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”
B. So We Are Also Being Clothed With God’s Character – Our Faith In Christ Makes Us Compassionate, Kind, Humble, Meek, And Patient
Text: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility meekness, and patience.”
C. This Changes How We Deal With One Another, It Blesses Our Relationships
Text: “bearing with one another, and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive one another.”
Statement: These also are the fruits of Christ’s birth and redemption – that His people should be renewed in love, goodness, kindness, and decency! It begins with the recognition that God has chosen us by His grace, that He has made us holy and beloved! Such recognition and understanding of God’s love opens our minds to the reality that God also loves others, has chosen others, and has blessed them just as He has blessed us! This begets love for one another – and for all people; and this love is forgiving, compassionate, kind, humble, meek, patient, and forbearing!
Application: It is God Who works these fruits in us, and enables us to “put on” this kind of being and behavior as our very clothing! We are encouraged and blessed to participate as well – to actively seek to remodel our being and behaving toward others to reflect God’s love! But it all centers in God’s gracious love for us – His forgiveness and love in Christ Jesus!
I suppose that “bearing with” one another is never a particularly pleasant or easy task – our sinful nature certainly resists and despises this. But as we grow in grace it becomes more and more pleasurable to deal with others graciously and kindly – and this is befitting those who are “GOD’S CHOSEN ONES.”
Transition: And so:
II. As God’s Chosen Ones We Are Cultivating Love And Peace And Unity Within His Church
Text: “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.”
A. This Occurs As We Allow Christ’s Word To Dwell In Us
Text: “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.”
B. This Occurs Through Teaching, Admonition, And Worship Together
Text: “teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.”
C. And In All Things We Are Thankful To God
Text: “And be thankful . . . and singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
D. And Finally, As God’s Chosen Ones, Dedicated To Him, We Attempt To Serve God In Everything That We Say And Do
Text: “And whatever you do, in word of deed, do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Statement: These are the characteristics of “GOD’S CHOSEN ONES” – and a diagnostic for our personal spiritual growth and direction as well as that of our congregation. There is much in current popular “cultural Christianity” that misses the mark on this, and of course, our sinful nature is continuously resistant to such “transformation” of our character and behavior. But again, the more time we spend allowing Christ’s Word to dwell within us, the more God is able to accomplish these blessings in us. And these blessings then are multiplied to others in our relationships with them.
Application: So what is described in this text in regard to “ALL GOD’S CHOSEN ONES” is also being encouraged to us. All of us have goals and visions of “how things ought to be” and of “what ought to be done.” However, we might want first and foremost to reflect upon these verses and consider seriously how we might want to devote ourselves to this way of being and behaving as our first priority!
Conclusion: Again, all of this began with the birth of the Lord Jesus, and His purpose in coming, to be our dear Savior and Lord. These are God’s aspirations for His beloved and chosen ones, His goals and His vision of what is good and right and blessed for us.
So let us take full cognizance of how His will is done – by His Word dwelling in us richly, and His peace ruling our hearts, and His compassion and love making us compassionate and loving toward one another!
May He continue this good work which He has begun in us, and carry it to completion on the day of His return in glory! Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.