So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. (vv. 12-14)

Theologians and ministers dress up nicely and go to seminars, forums, etc. to discuss their ideas of God. They like quoting other theologians and talking about what comes first: faith or work. Listening to them is a waste of time and money. They want to think that they are more educated and knowledgeable than others. But the answer is in the Bible. And anyone with the Holy Spirit understands what comes first.

As I have mentioned before, God is the ultimate judge. No one is more logical than God. Paul with the Holy Spirit lays out his argument step by step. He talks about Christ’s person in chapter 1 and then Christ’s work in chapter 2. Now he talks about our new life as children of God.

We face temptations every day. However, we must remember that we are now children of God. We live according to our new status. We are new because of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we listen to God’s words.

False teachers argue that we can lose salvation if we do not obey. But that is not what Paul tells us in the Letter to the Colossians. We are already saved. We are now being educated and trained to live as children of God.

For the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (v. 25)

God does not just forgive our sins. God teaches us why our actions and thoughts are wrong. God sometimes lets us go astray briefly so that we learn from our mistakes. King David committed a grievous sin and suffered for the rest of his life. Many false Christians use David’s case as their excuse to commit adultery. They do not see the consequences of David’s sin. His sin is written in the Bible so that we would not make the same error.

Now then, the sword shall never leave your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ This is what the Lord says: ‘Behold, I am going to raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. Indeed, you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and in open daylight.’” Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has allowed your sin to pass; you shall not die. However, since by this deed you have shown utter disrespect for the Lord, the child himself who is born to you shall certainly die.” (2 Samuel 12:10-14)

It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (Hebrews 12:7-8)

Many Christians think they are saved because they do good deeds and/or are rich and/or have many children. We know we are saved because of our understanding of God’s words. God’s words have life and make us live a new life.

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)