The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:8-11, “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him–
11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Were your parents the kind that really “laid it on you” when you did wrong? They would give you instructions that you needed, but then would repeat and repeat those instructions, adding a bit more with each “repetition”? Don’t ever think they were laying it on a bit too hard. They loved you and simply wanted you to be the best you could possibly be.

It was the same with the Apostle Paul. He knew the Colossian Christians better than they knew themselves. That’s why he spelled out all of the “wrongs” in these verses. Only he “spanked” them with words –and he did it
ahead of time.

“Anger” means “impulsive meanness”; “wrath” means “passion”; “malice” means “downright wickedness.” Not only did Paul not mince words, he poured
it on!! Just like my mother, Paul means business! If my mother had let me get
by with things, the other kids in my neighborhood would “beg off” from wrong by saying, “Gene’s mother let him do it.” So, Paul poured it on the Colossians.

How are we Christians going to lead non-Christians to faith in Jesus, if we engage in the same sinful activities as the non-Christians? Satan himself gets
a real boost when we act like he wants. Who is supposed to do what’s right?
You and I are! Yes, sometimes we slip. Paul knew that. That’s exactly why
he so forthrightly laid it on the Colossians! Isn’t the Biblical instruction exactly
what we all need? I’ll admit to that. How about you?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom