Thought for Friday, 25 November 2022

Colossians 3:17 (New International Version)

 

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.

 

In my bible, this reading falls within a section called ‘Living the New Life’ and Paul is writing to folks that claim to have accepted Jesus as their saviour.  He is basically saying that to be a Christian, we need to live our lives differently and be seen to live our lives differently.  It is worth considering it this way – in everything we think, say and do, would the Lord approve?

 

Today’s verse say’s ‘whether in word or deed’.  In this day and age, we communicate in ‘word’ by the things we say and the way we say them.  I’m sure we’ve all said things we later regret.  Friendships and relationships have been damaged irretrievably and continue to be damaged by the careless or thoughtless use of words.  It is not the first time or will it be the last when a piece of information we have received and shared with others turns out to be untrue.  We frequently communicate in ‘word’ by email, text messages on our cell phones and in social media.  There are lots of opportunities to say things we don’t mean, say things we later regret and say things that can cause hurt to others.  Once written and delivered, it is mostly impossible to undo or delete.

 

Fortunately, God provides us with solutions but the solutions he provides us with are not always easy for us to apply.  When we look at the qualities we should exhibit as a Christian, we are told to be kind, to be merciful, to show humility, to be gentle, to be patient, to make allowances for the weaknesses and faults of others.  We are to forgive those who we think have done us ‘a bad turn’, just as Jesus forgives us for when we get it wrong.

 

With Christmas day only a month away, we will remember once again the greatest gift God has given us in the birth of his son all those years ago who grew up to demonstrate all the qualities just mentioned in the way he lived his life.  It can be summed up in one word, Love.

Love did indeed come down at Christmas. 

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we enter advent and look forward to celebrating your miraculous and wonderful birth, help us be aware that you see what we think, what we say and what we do.  I pray that your Holy Spirit that lives within us will guide us in the decisions we have to make every day of our lives.  We pray that the Spirit will guide us to be more aware of how the things we say and do affect those around us and help us to change our behaviour accordingly in ways that meet with your approval.                    Amen