Church – a training ground for personal sanctification
Series: Holy – Holy – Holy | Bible text: Colossians 3:12–17, 1 Peter 1:14–16,
At first glance, the demands placed on a follower of Jesus Christ appear to be a pure imposition and sometimes even unattractive – because they often seem to put you on the losing side. However, when these are contrasted with a life with contrary moral ideas, they suddenly seem very desirable. The church is a good place to practise these things. But the crucial thing is not THAT we try to keep these guidelines, but our MOTIVATION. This should come from being chosen as saints and beloved of God.
Two competing cities – which one will you choose?
I would like to introduce you to two cities. One is the city with the heading «Laissez-faire», the other is nicknamed «Morality above all». I would like to outline these two cities for you. The task is for you to consider which of the two cities you would like to live in.
Let’s start with our «laissez-faire» city. There are no rules in this city – do what you want is the motto here. The main thing is that it’s right for you. Live your life. Live your dream. Yes, there are no rules. Nothing like lifelong fidelity or an ethic that says sexuality only belongs in marriage – let alone only with one person. If you want to do something, no matter what – then do it. Passion is the driving force. Chase the money! If someone is standing in your way, then get them out of your way, get angry with them and blaspheme about them. The main thing is that you’re doing well. In «laissez-faire», you are the centre of attention – the others are only of interest as long as they don’t get in the way.
Now to the city of «Morality above all». This is a city where things are civilised. The focus is on the weak, the poor and the downtrodden. Compassion, mercy and kindness towards all are paramount. It is also important not to take yourself too seriously and to do what you want, but to make decisions for the good of the whole. It is also important to always react gently and patiently. Never offend anyone. The two most important maxims are love and peace.
Which city would you like to live in? I think the case is clear. Who wants to live in the first city with all narcissists and egotists? Yes, the lifestyle may sound tempting at first glance, but these practices can wreak havoc on many a family, friendship and town. After all, unbridled sexual behaviour and an out-of-control use of language always ultimately lead to the destruction of relationships on various levels. Some may still tell themselves that this could be a fun time, but in fact you are on your own and lost in that sense. The second city, where your neighbour is seen and respected, is much more attractive. We read about these two ways of living in Colossians. The first city is described in Colossians 3:5–9 and the second in Colossians 3:12–17, the first part of which we will now read together. «Since God has chosen you to be among his saints and beloved, be full of compassion and mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Be lenient with the faults of others and forgive those who have offended you. Do not forget that the Lord has forgiven you and that you must therefore also forgive others. But the most important thing is love. It is the bond that unites us all in perfect unity. We wish your hearts the peace that comes from Christ. For as members of one body, you are all called to live in peace with one another. And always be grateful!» (Colossians 3:12–15 NLB). This morning we want to look more at this way.
The ethical and moral demands made by the biblical authors and by Jesus Christ himself often seem too far away. But when we contrast these with the opposite, we realise that we fundamentally long for them.
It has nothing to do with weakness to try to live according to these moral concepts. The English-speaking theologian N.T. Wright writes about this «People who accept this challenge are usually also people who are able to make difficult decisions and engage in other challenging activities in other areas. So Christian behaviour makes us more human, not less human. Pleasure-seeking and habitual anger or lying seem fun for a while, but they destroy us sooner or later – usually sooner» (N.T. Wright).
People will make fun of such a lifestyle, but only because they have a false understanding of it. Compassion does not mean being sentimental. Compassion does not mean that I condone the actions of others. Kindness does not mean being sensitive. Humility does not mean having low self-esteem. Gentleness does not mean weakness, it means keeping your emotions under control. Patience does not mean letting everything happen to you.
Most people long to live in this city, which at first glance appears to be too moralistic, but we mainly live in the «laissez-faire» city. Here are three facts. According to a Sotomo survey, 27% of the Swiss have already cheated once – a website that offers dating opportunities has almost a quarter of a million members in Switzerland alone. 38% of Swiss people feel lonely sometimes or often, according to an official study by the Swiss government. Guess for yourself how long we were without war on earth after the Second World War? – According to my history teacher from the vocational baccalaureate school, it was only two weeks!
Church as a training ground for sanctification
The demands of living together are placed above all on the followers of Jesus Christ. Especially when travelling together in the church. The church becomes the ideal training ground for taking the steps towards sanctification. Once again the introductory words. «Since God has chosen you to be among his saints and beloved, be full of compassion and mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience» (Colossians 3:12 NLB). It’s not about following some kind of moral code and finding new ways to stand before God, but about a changed heart that is filled with love and gratitude. This is particularly evident in our dealings with all those who also belong to the church.
«But the most important thing is love. It is the bond that unites us all in perfect unity» (Colossians 3:14 NLB). Love goes beyond all other things, which should be shown in our dealings with other followers. Compassion, mercy, etc. all arise from circumstances. But love is independent of this. It applies to the person as such. «Love does no harm to anyone; therefore love is the fulfilment of God’s law» (Romans 13:10 NLB).
What does this mean in concrete terms for the followers of Jesus Christ? What unites us? Are they uniform convictions and teachings? As much as we would like to affirm this, unfortunately very clear and sharp statements also lead to equally sharp disputes. Followers can be recognised by their love for one another. Although it can sometimes be difficult, everyone is fully committed. There are many a stumbling block in travelling together. It may be that a church has no obvious sexual misconduct, but is full of malicious gossip about each other – such a church has simply exchanged something bad for something else. But equally, a church where everyone looks after each other well is not just beyond reproach. Because often this is also a culture of «laissez-faire» in which nobody dares to speak up because such a person is then perceived as unloving.
Chosen as saint and beloved
The church is a place where the virtues of compassion, mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, peace and love are to be practised. However, the decisive factor is not that we live this way, but our motivation behind it. Our theme for the year is «holy, holy, holy». This quote in the teaser comes from the Old Testament, but is also quoted in the New Testament. The following task is set for the followers of Jesus Christ. «Obey God because you are his children. Don’t fall back into your old, bad habits. You didn’t know any better then. But now you are to be holy in everything you do, just as God, who called you, is holy. For he himself has said: «You shall be holy because I am holy»!» (1 Peter 1:14–16 NLB).
The key to leading such a life can easily be overlooked. Let’s go back to the first verse of our passage. «Since God has chosen you to be among his saints and beloved ones […]» (Colossians 3:12 NLB). There are three important keywords here. Chosen, saints and beloved. This applies to all who have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Elected:
A big «Yes!» stands over all those who have Jesus Christ as their Lord. But who is chosen? Chosen is «[…] everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved» (Romans 10:13 NLB). When we come to Jesus Christ, he does not push us back. This election should then be followed by a reaction on the human side, which is written about in the same letter as our passage. «Sink your roots deep into his soil and draw from it, then you will grow in faith and become steadfast in the truth in which you have been instructed. And then your life will overflow with gratitude for all that he has done» (Colossians 2:7 NLB). We are to take root in Jesus Christ, this is the good soil in which a life in abundance can grow.
Saints:
Those chosen by God are all saints. This is a condition. As such, they are set apart from the world for God. This is the most primal meaning of holy, namely set apart. As saints, they no longer belong to this world, but to God according to their state.
Beloved:
If you have decided in favour of Jesus Christ, then you are one of God’s beloved ones. You are absolutely lovable. God loves you for no reason – simply because he loves you! Because God loves us so much, he has also forgiven us for no reason. We should forgive others in the same way. «Be lenient with the faults of others and forgive those who have offended you. Do not forget that the Lord has forgiven you and that you must therefore also forgive others» (Colossians 3:13 NLB). But forgiveness is not for cowards. It costs you a lot. We often come across the phrase «The other person started it». That’s true. That’s exactly when we should forgive. Because if the other person hadn’t started it, we would have nothing to forgive, but would have to ask for forgiveness ourselves.
Perhaps you have asked yourself what the fruits of election are. It is not that you become holy and loved, because these are both conditions. The fruit is a changed being. It is a being in whose heart the peace of God reigns and the whole person should be permeated by it. «We wish your hearts the peace that comes from Christ. For as members of one body, you are all called to live in peace with one another. And always be grateful!» (Colossians 3:15 NLB). I see great parallels in how our behaviour changes, as is also the case in a love relationship. Can you still remember that? Suddenly you do things you never did before. Not because you have to, but because you do it out of love for that person. It is exactly the same when we follow Jesus Christ. Because our condition has changed, we suddenly want to live differently.
This other life is sanctification. It has a standard. «And whatever you do or say, let it be in the name of the Lord Jesus, through whom you shall give thanks to God the Father!» (Colossians 3:17 NLB). Sanctification means living always and everywhere in the presence of Jesus Christ. Followers of him love because they are loved. They praise God’s name because they are called. They help others as best they can because everything good they have is a gift from God. They give thanks through Christ because he gives them everything. In contrast to the fruit, knowledge plays no role. Because the decisive factor is the word and deed done in the name of Jesus Christ. Lovingly and driven by his peace.
Possible questions for the small group
Read the Bible text: Colossians 3:5–9; Colossians 3:12–17
- Imagine two cities. In one, the conditions described in Colossians 3:5–9 prevail, in the other those described in Colossians 3:12–17. Which would you choose?
- How does a lifestyle like the one in Colossians 3:12–17 seem to you? Is it desirable? Why not?
- What about compassion, mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, peace and love in the context of the church? Do you actively live these?
- What connects you to the people of seetal chile?
- Read Colossians 3:12 again: Do you understand the three key words chosen, holy and beloved? Do you see yourself before God with these three?
- What about the fruits of election in your life?
