Colossians 3:12-13 Forgive One Another

Colossians 3:12-13  One Another Commands of Scripture: Forgive One Another  WC McCarter

 

Introduction

 

I have been studying the book of Hebrews intensely this week and have learned all sorts of new things. You know, we never grow out of learning as Christians. You do not get too old or too knowledgeable. There is always more to learn. Not only that, but there is always room to be reminded of the things that we already know. It does not hurt to be reminded of the things that we have already believed. In fact, a lot of what I do as a pastor/teacher is remind you of the things you have already heard and believed. To be a “disciple” is to be a learner. We never stop being disciples of our Lord. One of the famous verses from Hebrews that stood out to me again this week is Hebrews 9:22 which says, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Why does it have to be that way? Because God said that the life is in the blood and sacrifice would have to be made to pay for sin. What is the ultimate point of this statement? Christ has laid down His life in your behalf, to pay for your sins as your substitute on the cross. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a loud, bold statement of FORGIVENESS. It is the model and definition.

 

READ Scripture (3:1-17) – This is the Word of God

 

The Christian’s Clothes [12]

 

In this Scripture, the Christian’s reformation of character is described. Like garments, we are to take off the deeds of unrighteousness and put on the acts of holiness. You have just heard me read all those things that we are to take off and what we are to put on in its place.

 

The readers are referred to as God’s chosen people, the elect, who are holy and beloved. We need to be reminded over and over again that we are called out of this world. We are not only expected to be different, but we actually are different. We have a relationship with the Creator/Sustainer/Savior/Lord of the world. We have been set apart as unique and special unto the Lord for His purposes and for His glory. Therefore, God has given us standards by which to live by and He has sent His Spirit to empower us to fulfill His Word. God does not say “Be holy” and not work it in you. He does not say “love one another” and not teach you to do so.

 

            Tender mercies is compassion. We have to look on others differently than the world.

 

            Kindness is gracious sensitivity triggered by compassion.

 

            Humility forces us to consider others better than ourselves.

 

            Meekness is gentleness. It is to criticize someone else and they take it as help and not hurt

 

            Longsuffering is patience. It is to not seek revenge, but to pursue holiness for long haul

 

Those Christians in ancient Colossae were exhorted to manifest their love for one another by conducting themselves according to mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering. All these are to permeate a church. These are simple virtues for those who love one another, as we talked about last week. The Christian has a certain wardrobe that God has prepared. It is always nice to buy/receive a new piece of clothing, isn’t it? God has laid out a new outfit for you to put on that is clean and holy.

 

The Christian’s Characteristics [13]

 

You heard me say in the very first sermon that you heard me preach, and maybe a couple times since then, that I believe that a church must foster a grace atmosphere. The air that we breathe when we are gathered together will be what we have either intentionally promoted or what we have allowed. I think that if we are not deliberate in cultivating a grace environment, a truly Christian atmosphere, then we will fall prey to discord, gossip, hardheartedness, and the like.

 

So, you say, what is it that we should be intentional about? This is a large subject, but part of what you can do is stated in verse thirteen. Not only can you, but you should bear with one another and forgive one another. This is not a one-time thing either. We are to constantly bear with each other and forgive one another.

 

The Apostle goes on to say that believers are to bear with each other. This is related to longsuffering. Next we encounter a valuable Christian standard.

 

Those who do not know how to forgive another do not know the Gospel. Those who understand how to forgive others, but refuse to do so are standing in opposition to the Gospel message that they claim to believe. I am using strong language, but that is what the passage is saying. Do you need a definition of Christian forgiveness? Here it is, “as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Maybe it will be helpful to hear it the way the NIV has put it, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Instead of complaining and arguing or becoming bitter, learn to forgive one another with the grace of Jesus Christ.

 

Conclusion and Christian Application

Many refer to Ephesians 5 for women to submit to their husbands. But we are to all submit to one another. Also, men are to love their wives as Christ loved the church. These are the more difficult things to do. Likewise, we are all to forgive as Christ forgave us. He did so with a sacrificial love.

John 13:34-35 Love One Another

John 13:34-35      The One Another Commands of Scripture: Love One Another       WC McCarter

 

Introduction

 

Discussion about the “One Another” Commands of the New Testament. Discussion about the importance of being accountable to one another. Christians are connected to one another.

 

People come up with all sorts of things to show their community associations. Even Christians have come up with all kinds of symbols to show that they belong to Christ. We label ourselves with this and that so that we are sure that everyone knows who we are. Yet, Christ tells us in this passage of Scripture that there is one distinguishing trait by which all will know that we are His disciples. You can label yourself with any word known to man, you can wear certain clothes to mark yourself out, you can put a big billboard in your front yard that says, “I AM A CHRISTIAN,” but without this one characteristic you are nothing. We will explore this for a few minutes today and pray that we are all enlightened to this very important sentence, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 

PRAYER

 

Love is a key theme in the Apostle John’s writings. He learned what Jesus taught.

 

Read a few verses from His Gospel and Epistles:

 

a) John 3:16 “For God so loved the world…”

 

b) John 13:1 “…having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”

 

c) 1 John 3:11 “For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another…”

 

d) 1 John 3:16 “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

 

e) 1 John 3:23 “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.”

 

f) 1 John 4:11 “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

 

g) 2 John 1:5 “And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.”

 

Do you think that this is slightly important? Do you think that John learned something from the Lord Jesus Christ that he absolutely needed to impart? I think so. . . .

 

READ Scripture- This is the Word of God

 

(Would you meditate on this for a moment?)

 

We know that this is vitally important for a couple of obvious reasons. First, the Lord Jesus commanded this. Second, He said this to His disciples on the night that He was betrayed. This was one of the last things that He taught them. On that crucial night of “cramming for the exam,” Jesus gave this “new” command to His followers.

 

Love One Another [34-35]

 

Jesus now imparts to His closest followers His expectations for them in light of His parting. He is leaving, and they are staying. He tells them what He expects of them. He gives them a new commandment that is really not new at all. It is the phrase “new commandment” that passed through the Latin language and gave us our term “Maundy,” hence “Maundy Thursday.” The newness is not in the sense of recent, but in the sense of fresh. This commandment was not recent at all, but had a long history dating back to the Mosaic Law (*SEE Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18; also Mk 12:28-33; Rom 13:8-10; 1 Jn 2:7-8). The “new commandment” points to the footwashing which points to the cross. A fresh interpretation is given to the commandment by the Lord Jesus Himself. We are to love unselfishly and sacrificially. There is a new standard in light of the new covenant which is in Christ’s blood.

 

The love that the Lord is talking about here is not the light, fluffy, emotional, and superficial love that we often see in the world today. The love the Lord is talking about is real, heavy, difficult, painful, and lasting. It is not simply saying “I love you,” which may be hard enough for some of you to say to one another, but it is much more than that. This love is active and sacrificial. It is humbling. I will show you just how humbling it is when we read about the footwashing in just a few minutes.

 

How is it that Jesus says the world will know His disciples? Bumper stickers? Pins? Screen-printed t-shirts? WWJD bracelets? Because you are perfect? Because you are holier-than-thou? No, no, no. This is how everyone will know that we are Christ’s disciples: If we love the way He loved. He laid down His life for us and we ought to also lay down our lives for each other. We are to be living sacrifices. Our love must be different. Yes, we will love the world with compassion and evangelism, but we are distinct from the world. Our binding love is directed toward one another. That is what makes our love holy. On this verse many quote from Tertullian, a second century Christian leader, writer, and apologist. He reported how the pagans of his time marveled at the Christians and would say, “See how they love one another . . . how are they ready even to die for one another!” Is that how the society at-large views us today? Do they see a unique love?

 

Conclusion and Christian Application

 

Notice how the love teaching follows the footwashing- Jesus’ demonstration shows them that this type of love is real, active, hands-on, and even dirty at times. The type of love that He expects of His followers is out of the norm; awkward and even uncomfortable. That is what makes it sacrifice. It is not an abstract thought for us to sit around and discuss, but is something that we must do. When Jesus says it to His first disciples it is not a suggestion of something that would be nice for them to do, but is something that will characterize them for all time. Those who follow this saying are really Christ’s disciples, truly Christians in every sense of the word. The New Testament teaches us to consider others better than ourselves, to look out for the interests of others. How are you doing with that? Are you mindful of others, or only yourself?

 

Lastly, you do not have to wear a name tag that says, “I’m a Christian.” And you do not have to prove yourself to the community by doing as much humanitarian work as possible. What you must do, according to the command of the Lord Jesus, is love one another. Look around this room. You have been commanded to love the people in this room the way Christ has loved you.

Hebrews 3:7-19 Warning: Unbelieving Hearts

Hebrews 3:7-19          Warning: Unbelieving Hearts                        WC McCarter

 

Introduction

 

Chapter three begins by showing the supreme example of faithfulness, Jesus Christ, but in verses 7-19 it quickly turns to show a negative example of unfaithfulness/disobedience (Bateman, 44). Both of these passages are linked. Remember that last week we were told that we are Christ’s house if we hold fast. I think that we all want to be Christ’s house. So, in this next passage we are told to not be like the Exodus generation that rebelled against almighty God. They fell away into unbelief and did not enter God’s resting place for them, Canaan. Let’s take a look at their story from Numbers 13-14. Remember, the people of Israel had just seen the great Exodus event. They saw the ten plagues, and they saw the Red Sea parted. They also saw great things at Mt. Sinai. Now Moses has led them to the border of the Promised Land to go in and take it. He sends in ten spies to consider the military challenge, eight come back with a terrible report while only two report that the land can be conquered. The people want to stone Caleb and Joshua. Because of their unbelief, God says that He will not allow them into the land.

 

READ Scripture- This is the Word of God

 

Do Not Harden Your Hearts (7-11)

 

This warning passage uses Psalm 95 (94 in LXX), a psalm of ascent sung by pilgrims going to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple. The psalm has a warning to worshippers to not harden their hearts and miss out on entering into God’s rest (namely, the temple). They negative example that is used is that wilderness generation. They were not allowed to enter into the resting place.

 

Thus, the unbelief of Israel influenced the psalmist to write Psalm 95 and the author of Hebrews to write chapter three. Although men wrote those two passages, Hebrews tells us that the Holy Spirit was the true author. As Christians, that is exactly what we believe. We believe that the Holy Spirit is the true author of all Scripture. All 66 books of the Bible, the Old and New Testaments, were uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit and can be said to be breathed out by God.

 

There is not a lot to explain in verses 7-11. This is the story that we have just read from the Old Testament record. What are some of the things that we can initially hear from these first few verses? (1) Today is the day with which we must be most concerned. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day that we must hear God’s voice (in the Scriptures). If you want to hear God, read the Bible. If you want to hear God audibly, read the Bible out loud. (2) A person can harden their heart. To harden your heart is to form an attitude of indifference to the things of God. It is to completely doubt and no longer trust God as you once did. (3) To not know God’s ways means to not have a true understanding of God’s revelation. Many people have a simple familiarity with the standards of the Bible, but most people do not know His ways. They have never taken His ways as their own. They have never come to a thorough knowledge of the truth of His ways. They have never really submitted to Him as Lord and committed their full allegiance to Him. To harden your heart is to be in a state of disobedience. (4) God cannot overlook sin forever, and God cannot allow sin to go unpunished. He is righteous and holy in all His ways. (5) We will talk about it more in a few minutes, but let me go ahead and say that God expects us to finish well. The Promised Land, not the wilderness, is our destination. Continue on!

 

Beware and Exhort (12-15)

 

There are two exhortations given in the next paragraph, “see to it . . . that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart” and “encourage one another daily.” There is a real danger for believers (Bateman, 48). There is something you can do for yourself, and there is something you can do for those around you. First of all, you must consider your own heart. You must avoid at all costs an unbelieving heart (Hagner, 65). There are things that contribute to the hardening of a heart; steer clear of those things. There are situations that you can put yourself in that will not help your faith; do not go there. It is this kind of heart that leads you astray. It may lead you to turn away from the living God. Why is God referred to in this way? He is not a god made by human hands as if we can manipulate Him. He is the living God to who we must all answer. He will judge the world in righteousness. We cannot escape His wrath if we depart from Him.

 

The second exhortation given here is something you can do for others, encourage one another daily while it is still called “Today.” Remember, today is the day with which we must be most concerned. Today is when we must hear His voice, not yesterday or tomorrow. Hear His voice today so that you may be saved. You have to encourage others to hear His voice. Yet, we spend most of our time discouraging others, don’t we? We get in the way of others coming to a thorough knowledge of God’s ways. We discourage others with our words, attitudes, actions whether any of them be direct or indirect. You are called to exhort and encourage one another. Do not harden your heart, and do not contribute to the hardening of someone else’s heart. There is nothing worse! What can happen if we do not encourage one another? We may be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. What is the greatest sin? What sin is it with which Hebrews is most concerned? The sin of unbelief. That is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. That is the unforgiveable sin. Do you wake up one day and no longer believe? Is that how it works? No, but you can contribute to the overall attitude of your soul in many ways. It takes time to turn away from the living God. It is a slow drift. Remember 2:1-4. Before you know it though, you have turned away from your first love, you have departed from the living God who is the One who must judge your sinfulness and who is the One who has provided the only way to be saved from that judgment. There will come a day when it is too late to believe. “Today” will not last forever.

 

“Even as Christ became a sharer in our humanity, Christians have come to share in Christ. . .” (Hagner, 65). “Once saved always saved” doctrine does not hold up under the warnings of the book of Hebrews. Look at verse fourteen. You have your share in Christ if you “hold the beginning of [your] confidence steadfast to the end.” The Israelites started out well. They were full of confidence as they saw the plagues ravage the land of Egypt. They were jumping for joy when they received all of the jewelry they did from the Egyptians. They praised the Lord when the Red Sea was parted and they crossed on dry ground. But that attitude did not carry them to the end of their journey. They died in the wilderness because of their ultimate unbelief.

 

They Could Not Enter His Rest (16-19)

 

The ones who rebelled against God were the same ones who had heard God’s voice. Astonishingly, they were the ones who came out of Egypt with Moses. The people who saw the mighty acts of God in Egypt were the same ones who rebelled against Him. God was angry with that generation because of their unbelief. They had seen His mighty hand in Egypt and experienced His provision in the wilderness, yet they still did not trust Him. Verse nineteen is the summary of the passage, they could not enter because of unbelief. What about you?

 

Conclusion and Christian Application

 

(1) The one point of chapter three is that you must be faithful. Follow the positive example of Moses and the One who is far greater than Moses, Christ Jesus, and do not follow the negative example of the children of Israel who turned away from the Lord. We are all going to be followers in one way or another. The question is, who will you follow?

 

(2) This passage in Hebrews 3, and really the entire book of Hebrews, is written to say, You must finish well. Starting out well is not enough. Let’s also be clear that we do not mean that you finish well by religious performance. That is not what earns you salvation. You finish the same exact way you started, by faith. You come into salvation by faith in the work of Christ, and you finish the Christian life by faith in the accomplishments of the Lord. Thus, the Apostle says in Romans 1 that God’s righteousness is shown from faith to faith (faith in the beginning and faith in the end, faith and nothing but faith from start to finish). Therefore, when I say that we must finish well, I am saying that we must continue in faith until we die or the Lord returns.

 

(3) "Today" = while you are hearing God's voice (v. 7), while you are seeing what he has been doing (v. 9), while you are still having the opportunity to know his ways (v. 10), while none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God (v. 12), while you still have a share in Christ, and are indeed holding firmly till the end your original conviction (v. 14).

 

What happened years ago means nothing if your trust is not the same today. Where are you in your faith today? Do you treasure the Lord Jesus more today than you ever have?