A Lifestyle Of Relationship With God With The Freedom Offered
Scripture: Colossians 3:12-15 AMPC
“Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives,) [who
are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by]
tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and]
patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with
good temper]. Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a
grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has
[freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. And above all these [put on] love and enfold
yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal
harmony]. And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire
continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your
minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called
[to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” …What do we find
here? We discover that as we grow in the grace of God and as we embrace the path, the fruit of
the Spirit will come to us as an umpire and the Holy Spirit will settle with finality all questions
that come to our hearts and minds. How does He settle it? The peace which is bought and paid
for through remission becomes our umpire and settles direction and any questions. God will
bring it to us. Patience is required! It is time we realize that God has something here for us which
is a lifestyle of relationship with Him that is all made possible through the remission of sin. We
cannot be established in a healthy relationship with God the Creator Himself if we don’t accept
the freedom offered. It all starts with accepting our forgiveness and the remission of sin whereby
we are no longer stuck in blame, shame, and guilt. The confidence we want before God is
established right here.
Prayer
Father I thank you that You have made a way for me to access your heavenly presence. By faith I
step in through the veil of Jesus through the way of the cross. I present myself to you Jesus, my
High Priest, in surrender as a living sacrifice. I commit myself to a lifestyle of repentance
against all negative roots. I repent of all negative emotions and attitudes rooted in my heart.
Show me all fruits of resentment that have developed in my behaviour. I commit myself to a
lifestyle of renunciation of negative behaviour.