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BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER (COLOSSIANS 3:12-17)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Bearing with one another” To bear in the context of our theme means to endure something unpleasant or difficult. Bearing with one another means that regardless of our individual differences, we must learn to endure one another in the body of Christ. We shall reflect on the fact that bearing with one another requires the love of Christ.

Beloved in the Lord, it is impossible to bear with one another if we do not possess and demonstrate the unconditional love Jesus showed us on the cross when He said ““Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). Jesus endured suffering, died on the cross and forgave our sins because He loved us unconditionally. With this knowledge, Paul understood that the church is a fellowship of sinners who have been saved by grace and are being formed into the perfect image of Christ. They have their individual temperaments, personalities and different levels of spiritual maturity or development, hence, there is the likelihood of people offending one another in the church which will lead to grievances. It is for this reason Paul admonished the Colossian church “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And above all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:13-14). In other words, as Christians or believers, we have an obligation to forgive one another or any one who offends us. The obligation to bear one another through forgiveness and other godly virtues are borne out of the love God showed us through Christ. When we are offended by others and it becomes difficult to forgive them, let us remember that we are beneficiaries of God’s mercy and forgiveness, in that, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) In essence, we have no moral right to hold the sins of others against them or refuse to bear with one another since we are all fellow debtors of one creditor, God. It is for this reason that Jesus taught us to pray “….forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12).

Dear friend, one of the interesting places where grudges, bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness is very pronounced is the Church. Some people argue that it is to be expected because it is a human institution. This argument must be rejected because the Church is not merely a human institution but a divine institution which must be above reproach. Being a disciple of Jesus means we are ready to do God’s will and not our will. It saddens my heart when some Christians become so bitter to the extent that they refuse to talk to one another in the house of God. Some people have stopped coming to church because they feel greatly offended by someone or group of people in the church. Others have stopped attending the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist because of unforgiveness and bitterness. Because of resentment and unforgiveness there is division among some the leaders and members of some churches. Unfortunately these divisions lead to schism or permanent separation. Beloved in the Lord, are you still holding grudges against someone in your church, family and community, hence, you have become cold or bitter towards that person or group of people? Today, the Lord is inviting us to seriously reflect on the unconditional love and forgiveness we first received from Him and for that matter have been saved by His grace or mercy to become part of His children. We call our ourselves Christians yet some of us are unforgiving husbands, wives and children. We call ourselves Christians but some of us are unforgiving at our workplaces. We have become vindictive in our relationship with our subordinates and colleagues. We retaliate at the very least opportunity because of our privileged positions in our churches and societies. Paul admonishes us, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21). Again, let us not be like the unforgiving or unmerciful servant who was forgiven all his debts but refused to forgive that of his fellow servant. His master said to him “You wicked servant,’…‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³ Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ ³⁴ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. ³⁵ “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Matthew 18:32-35 It is important to always remember the parable of the unforgiving or unmerciful servant when it becomes difficult to bear with one another. For those who have been saved, to love unconditionally and forgive others is not an option, it is a divine obligation!

Beloved in the Lord, God is pleased with us, and the church of Christ will experience unity and peace when we bear with one another in love through the virtues of forgiveness, “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12) In addition, it is impossible to bear with one another if we do not reflect the perfect image of Christ in us. To reflect the perfect image of Christ, Paul admonishes us to, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:16-17)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Bearing with one another” We have discovered that bearing with one another requires demonstrating the unconditional love of Christ. We are beneficiaries of this love which is the mother of all Christian virtues including forgiveness. Shalom.

PRAYER
Merciful God, grant us forgiving hearts through the unconditional love You first showed us through Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit purge us of bitterness and unforgiveness and let the love of Christ permeate our relationships in the church, family and society so that in all things we shall bear with one another until the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.