Green Pastures and Still Waters
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I grew up in an age and a church culture where we dressed differently for church on Sunday. We even had certain clothes and shoes that were designated as “Sunday clothes” and “Sunday shoes.” I suppose you could say those clothing items were sanctified; they were set apart for a certain day of the week and a certain event—church. I’m not being critical of that approach or suggesting that there is a right or wrong way to dress for church. I will say, the Sundays I wear jeans and leave my shirt untucked, I still feel a twinge of guilt! The truth is, God does care what we wear, but you can’t get His clothes at J.C. Penney or American Eagle. If you are a believer, you have put off the old nature and put on the new nature. Therefore, you should live that way! There are “clothes” to put off; we looked at the list last week. And, as we’ll see this week, there are clothes to put on. There are at least ten pieces mentioned in our study for this week but the one I want to emphasize here is, love. Paul wrote, “Above all things, put on love…” This is consistent with 1 Corinthians 13 and most important it rings true with the teaching of Christ regarding the Great Commandment. Sadly, many so called “good things” can be done without love. They can be done for show, for manipulation and/or for reciprocation. That’s why in this list of virtues to wear, love is above all. Love is a disposition that is developed as we spend time with the One who loves us. We become like the ones we spend time with and those who spend the most time with Jesus—and really obey Him, end up being most like Him. People with a disposition of love are people conformed to the image of Christ. They wear Him every day, not just on Sunday. Above all, put on love.
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Barb Mead. As I have studied the text for this Sunday’s sermon, Barb keeps coming to mind. Of course, part of the reason is because of her graduation to glory. While I grieve her loss for us, I rejoice in the gain for her! She has received the “far better!” But, another reason she is on my mind as I study Colossians 3, is because of her commitment to the new life available in Christ. I heard her speak of this—with passion—many times. She believed the Word of God! She believed that when we received the forgiveness of Christ we also exchanged our old life for a new one. We not only gained a permanent home in Heaven, we, in Christ, have become new creatures. Barb may not have been as “sappy” as Pastor Dan was, but she was every bit as compassionate. Her compassion was not sentimental, it was tough. In other words, while she had a huge heart for the broken, the marginalized, the weak and the vulnerable, she also believed in the power of the Holy Spirit to save, strengthen and restore God’s image in anyone. She believed that we come to God “Just As I Am,” but did not believe He had any intention of leaving us “Just As We Were.” She pointed people to the reality of God’s good intentions. She could hug with tears and motivate with a crack of the whip. We’re going to miss her, for a while; we’ll see her again. But, let’s not forget the great exchange that Barb championed in her commitment, her counseling and her everyday life. “Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above.”