Living Above the Surface Part 2

Colossians 3:8-17

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath,
malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your
mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put
off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in
knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision
nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor
free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and
beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of
mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another,
if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ
forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which
is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to
the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye
thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with
grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and
the Father by him.

Living above the surface to overcome condemnation and doubts means we put off the old deeds; anger, wrath, malice and a filthy mouth.

Anger - a chronic attitude of smoldering hatred
Wrath (rage) - an acute outburst of anger
Malice - evil, producing trouble, maliciousness
Blasphemy - slander, evil speaking

Can we put off the old things? Yes we can to be a new man or woman renewed in Jesus Christ. To put on the new things means to love, not only in word, but in deed. And to love means to show mercy, kindness, humility, meekness and longsuffering. Suffer the complaints of your spouse or boss and show them kindness in return and you may get an interesting and very good response. When we respond absent of anger or wrath we sink into the countenance or example of the Lord so that we might decrease in pride and He increases in our lives and deeds. Be thankful and let the peace of God rule your heart.

2 Chronicles 7:14-15

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall
humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and
turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal
their land.
15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent
unto the prayer that is made in this place.

Tender mercies - compassion
Kindness - benevolence in action
Humility - humble attitude before God
Meekness - gentleness, a lowly attitude toward others
Longsuffering - patience, self-restraint in the face
of provocation

Reference: Pastor Al Pittman
Calvary Worship Center, Colorado Springs, CO
Sermon

The Grim Reaper Preacher says, "Try reading the Bible from cover to cover - you'll like it."