Read:
Yesterday, we imagined a wide receiver trading his red and gold uniform for red and blue. But what if it wasn’t just a trade from city to city but a trade from sport to sport? Imagine a football player suddenly drafted onto an ice hockey team. Now it’s not just a matter of trading colors; someone’s going to have to explain the entire game to him.
In Colossians 3:10, Paul tells us to trade the old for the new. First, he speaks to everyone: “Get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other…” Instead, he says, “clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Then Paul addresses specific groups, and all of us fit into at least one of them. His words to wives and husbands are often misunderstood today, but when we read them in context—alongside his letter to the Ephesians—we see the beauty in the picture he’s painting.. The relationship between husband and wife is meant to reflect the relationship between Christ and the church: the church lovingly follows Christ’s lead, and Christ loves the church so much that he gave up his life for her. Paul isn’t teaching male superiority—he’s describing a relationship built on self-giving love.
Paul also gives a longer set of instructions to slaves. While we’re not in that situation today, these principles apply to our working relationships: we should serve our employers as if we were working for God himself, remembering that our ultimate reward isn’t a paycheck, but the gift of grace that leads to eternity with God.
Jesus taught the same thing. Paul isn’t inventing a new rulebook. He’s simply applying Jesus’ words to everyday life.. No matter what position we’re in or what relationship we’re part of, we can bring an attitude of service and love because God loved us first.
Pray: Dear God, submitting what I want to what is best for others isn’t always easy. Help me to serve others as Jesus has served—sacrificially, putting myself last. Help me to show others how much you love them, too. Amen.