Colossians 3:11-13

"[In this new creation all distinctions vanish.] There is no room for and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, [nor difference between nations whether alien] barbarians or Scythians [who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; but Christ is all and in all [everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person]" Colossians 3:11.

Paul gives away one of my secrets here in this verse. I am not a Baptist, though I have joined a local church that is. When I was a member of a non-denominational church, I never claimed to be non-denominational. These are my marching orders, right here, in verse 11.

In the Army, they shaved our heads and made us look, dress, and do everything alike. Our Drill Sergeant said, "There is no room for and there can be neither, hillbilly nor cityslicker... no hippie nor yuppie... You're in the Army now!". He told us, "anybody wanting to be a 'lone-wolf'... a 'hero'... can go back home right now, because you don't belong in the Army!" I... No... "WE" learned in the following weeks that it was a life and death matter. The importance of all of us being ONE was KEY to our safety, our objective, and even our survival. I believe it can be just that serious in the church as well. We are in the army now... Christ Jesus' army, and we all should follow the same code.

Maybe you don't see that the scriptures tell us that if we are truly saved that it is permanent... maybe you don't see that the scriptures say that following the letter (trying to keep the law) leads to death, but following the Holy Spirit (trusting in and relying upon God) leads to life... or maybe you think the rapture is before the tribulation or midway...whatever... that's ok, in this army... but setting yourself up to be better or even worse (separate) than the rest of us is just not good.

12. "Clothe yourselves therefore, as God's own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]."

So what uniform do we wear today? Well, here in verse 12, we have our marching orders. He says that we should be, "putting on behavior marked by tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]. This is the "clothed in love" look, and it's really more that the way we should appear. Love should be what's inside! We are clothed this way because we are this way!

13. "Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]."

That's how it is in the Army... you go to the Drill Sergeant with a complaint about someone, and he expresses his understanding of your problem by saying something like, "GET OVER IT, PRIVATE"! Christians... We are in the army and these are our orders!

Let's pick up with verse 14, next time.

I love you.