OUR FATHER TO WHOM WE GIVE THANKS THROUGH THE LORD JESUS

Continuing with the last portion of Colosians chapter 3 (verses 12 - 25), the Apostle Paul outlines the expected conduct of those who are elected of God and live by His Spirit. In this pasasage, Paul contrasts the list of boorish inclinations of the old man (that he had listed in the beginning of chapter 3), with the list of attributes of a  loving community.

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.

Paul calls on the brothers and sisters in Christ to establish a bond of perfection among themselves which is their love for one another and He counsels them to gratefully remain richly indwelled by the word of Christ by submitting to wisdom, teachings, and admonitions that are delivered by psalms, hymns and spiritual songs sung with grace in their hearts. Paul also advises that whatever they do, they do in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ all the while giving thanks to God the Father through Jesus. 

The Apostle Paul then pivots to the expected conduct of believers within housholds where wives and husbands and children and servants are given counsel on living before God as they live and work together..

18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

Amen.

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