Perfect Harmony

In the last two articles we considered the factionalism that was present in the church in Corinth as well as the dangers facing our congregations when we allow factions to develop. What can we do to remain united as a church? Let’s use Colossians 3:12-17 to exhort us to perfect harmony:

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 

Serve one another sacrificially. In Paul’s list of characteristics that lead toward harmony, he specifically highlights a compassionate heart, kindness, and love. These are not intended to be beyond our reach or idealized. The three together describe a motivation to look out for the best interests of others and even to be willing to sacrifice what I have. Christians must show a love for one another that is so different from what the world is used to that they immediately know who we are. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). This is the defining characteristic of a true disciple of Jesus.

 

Lower yourself. It nearly goes without saying, but a spirit of sacrificial service is only possible with a humble attitude regarding self. Compassion and service without humility quickly turns into mere duty or even contempt veiled in kindness. As long as I believe I am better or more important than you, I cannot serve you effectively and with the proper heart. “For by the grace given to me  say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment…” (Romans 12:3). To think of myself too highly is to act in a senseless way that lacks sobriety. To put it another way, only a fool believes he is too important to serve others.

 

Give grace in times of failure. We do not always treat each other as we should. What should we do when a brother sins against us? The call in verse 13 is toward greater patience and forgiveness. If I love my brethren and properly esteem them, I will have no hesitation to forgive them when necessary. I know my own faults and how easily sinful desire can rule me. How can I deny my brother the patience and mercy to work on his problems as I rely on God’s mercy to help me work on my own?

 

Worship together. Verse 16 is not an abrupt change of subject even if it appears to be one at first glance. Unity and worship are related in both directions—we are unified so that we can worship together and our collective worship helps us reach greater unity. Let’s break both of those down.

 

God’s desire for us to be unified is not arbitrary. We have work we must do together that can never be accomplished without a united bond. Part of our work is to worship God together—something that must go beyond private individual worship. In fact, the Hebrew writer tells us that when we worship God, we join “innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven” (Hebrews 12.22-23). Can you imagine trying to be united with the angels in heaven while not even being able to get along with your brother in the next pew?

 

This connection works the other way as well. Worshiping together helps us to be more united. God has commanded us to worship Him with collective acts that draw us closer to each other. Worship is not something to consume or observe but something to participate in. The act of singing together or praying together or remembering and proclaiming the Lord’s death together is a powerful experience if we are engaging in it wholeheartedly. When a group of believers does that together, we cannot help but be changed. Additionally, our worship also includes an element of encouragement and admonishment. The worship is directed at God but we stir each other up to greater commitment and faithfulness as we do so.

 

Conclusion. Paul admonished us to do everything in the name of Jesus. Fulfilling that command is only possible if we reject factions and divisions and put God first. We are on the road to heaven together and we must control ourselves with that in mind. 

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