Tangible Godly Life

Scripture is deep. Sometimes it's difficult to grasp the concepts that are somewhat abstract to our vernacular. What do the words heart and statute mean? This creates a problem: if we do not understand what Scripture says, we will not understand what it demands. So sometimes it's good to pick words apart and replace the actual word with a clear concept of its definition. Normally we don't have to do this with words like go or sing. We know what these words mean.

But some of the most important passages in the Bible on Christian living use terms that are not common speech. The following is an example. This is a paraphrase of Colossians 3:12-14. I pray it will be useful to you as it has been useful to me. First, take time to read what I first read (the original passage in the HCSB):

Colossians 3:12-14 (HCSB)
12 Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. 14 Above all, put on love - the perfect bond of unity.


Paraphrased
12 Because of the unity of Christ, loved and holy ones, attach these things to yourselves:

heartfelt sympathy and mercy toward others, actions of goodness, consideration of others' needs and desires, kind understanding of each other, and long-suffering and endurance with one another.

13 In doing these things, refuse to let any bitterness or anger cause you to hold prejudice against another, and do not hold against each other the sins that Christ did not count against you.
14 If nothing else, do this - it is most important of all:
become selfless in your mindset, spirit, and works of charity and consideration for the benefit of each other; this is the fetter which fastens us to peaceful fellowship.