“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)

All of us know the challenges of being a member of a family. There can be times of joy and laughter, and then times when family dysfunction seems to take over with siblings who don’t get along or lack of forgiveness that causes distance and friction. Keeping family ties healthy is an ongoing job that never ends. 

I know, because I grew up with ten siblings. That is a lot of relationships to negotiate. For the most part, we did pretty well - but not always. I learned a lot about family systems in my own family. Even today with parents gone, the “sibs” need to pay regular attention to relationships. 

As followers of Jesus, we are in a larger family with Jesus as the head. We are not immune to the common dysfunctions of families. This family is far more diverse than our personal families, which makes it all the more important to be intentional in our relationships. The good news is, that when God’s people live out His principles and counsel for His family, our relationships can be a beautiful thing.

Paul tells us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience with one another. Just like we dress ourselves daily, we are to metaphorically put these clothes on daily. When you examine these characteristics, you can see how living them out would make for special and peaceful relationships with one another. At the center of this is forgiveness and love, which bind all the rest together in perfect unity.

The proof that we are living out these values with one another is that there is peace among us. As Paul says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” When there is not peace among God’s people, it is an indication that we are not living out His values. 

The anchor for all of this is Paul’s call for us to be Jesus centered in our relationships and interactions. “And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Jesus centered relationships keep us focused on the One we worship and His desires for our relationships. 

Think of your relationships with God’s people today. Are you living out His values for His family? Where can you press in and apply these values in a healthier way? Paul’s final words on this sum it all up: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Father, thank You for this wonderful picture of God’s people living with intentionality toward one another. Help me to exhibit these values in my life. Where I have failed, I ask for Your forgiveness. Moving forward, I ask for Your presence and help. Amen.