Monday, September 21, 2009
Resurrection Relationships
(Colossians 3:12-14)
Living that fully identifies with Christ (resurrection living) is more than merely avoiding so-called “sins of the flesh.” While our identification with Christ dictates our death to the flesh, it accomplishes more than moral conformity. Genuine identification, consistently “reckoned” by the Christian, results in positive living and ministry for Christ. In no sphere of life is spiritual living more evident than in our relationships to fellow believers.
Just as Paul instructs us as to the prohibitions of resurrection living, he instructs us as to the positives—the characteristics that most poignantly demonstrate our union with Christ. And, interestingly, all of these characteristics touch on personal relationships. Look at the list in verse 12: mercies, kindness, humbleness, meekness, and long-suffering (patience). Every Christian, rightly reckoning his identification with Christ, should manifest—albeit it imperfectly—these relationship graces.
Are Paul’s expectations just “pie in the sky?” No, Paul acknowledges the possibility of friction between believers. He allows that one may have a “quarrel” against another (13). His solution, however, reflects resurrection living. Rather than become bitter, maintain anger, and fume over perceived slights; those quarreling are enjoined to forgive one another—and they are to forgive with the same grace and mercy as Christ forgave them (13). And, of course, the crowing virtue of identification with Christ is love (14). Christ not only transforms personal lives; He transforms relationships as we reckon ourselves fully identified with Him.
