Introduction:

1. Definition of "adorn" (Gr. kosmeo): "To arrange, to put in order. To ornament as garnishing tombs (Mt. 23:29), buildings (Lk. 21:5), and one's person (1 Pet. 3:5). Metaphorically: to adorn the gospel (Tit. 2:10)."

(a) The sentiment is expressed in 1 Peter 2:2; 4:11 where good works and holy lives glorify God. One pleases God when he decorates his life with good works.

2. Ways in which we fail to adorn the gospel:

(a) Trying to make the gospel more meaningful, some dramatize it by adding sound effects, changing one's appearance so as to appear sensual and earthly, and placing oneself in front of the cross, instead of hiding behind it with sound preaching. In this people are seen too much, when we ought to be seeing Christ. Preachers are not more than actors playing a part.

(b) By calling sound preachers "negative." The Bible requires that we speak out against sinful practices such as sin, false teachers, backbiters, etc. We adorn the gospel by letting it speak out clearly and loudly.

(c) By failing to live in harmony with the gospel:

(1) One cannot adorn Galatians 6:1, for example, by trying to convert someone while drinking, smoking, sordidness, etc.

(2) The motive of faithful, ready obedience shows how beautiful our rude, coarse lives can be. God desires ornament in our lives, not an outward, pretentious, ostentatious display.

3. Through righteously serving God one honors him in humble service. In this, one's governing sympathies flow in the channels of eternal right and our activities are ever engaged in endeavors to please the mighty maker of his being.

(a) As meekness and quietness of one's spirit is an ornament of display, so we are to decorate our lives with good works that adorn the gospel.

(b) Hence, "adorn the doctrine of God."

(c) Colossians 3:12-14.

Body:

1. Men are often judged by the clothes they wear.

A. Judah thought Tamar was a harlot because of her veil (Gen. 38:14-15).

B. The rich man showed his social status by being clothed in "purple and fine linen" (Lk. 16:10).

C. In mockery people clothed Jesus with a purple robe as a king (Mk. 15:7; Jn. 19:2-5).

D. Since God does not look on the outward appearance, but on the heart, it is incumbent upon the elect of God to be clothed (in a figurative and literal sense) in the right fashion (1 Sam. 16:7). In the Bible characteristics are required in the Christian's life that are compared to putting on articles to be worn (or, ornaments to adorn the gospel).

1. Isa. 61:10; 1 Pet. 3:1-4; Tit. 2:10; Eph. 6:10-17.

2. In Colossians 3:12-14 Paul is commanding that certain characteristics which befit a Christian be put on. This is in contrast to things that are to be put off (Col. 3:5,8-9).

II. The ornaments that adorn the gospel with which we are to decorate our lives are as follows:

A. Bowels of Mercies. To the Greeks the intestines were regarded as the seat of affections and the more violent passions. The bowels of ancient times would be the heart today (cf. "heart of compassion," ASV). Mercies have reference to compassion and kindness, i.e., to suffer with one in distress (Rom. 12:15). Jesus is our example in this (Heb. 2:9-18; 5:8-9; 2 Cor. 5:21).

B. Kindness. This ornament carries with it the idea ot gentleness. Macknight renders it "sweetness of disposition." The Christian's life is decorated with good manners, rather than rudeness and uncouthness. This does not mean we are to be of a sweet disposition toward false doctrine (Psa. 119:104; Rom. 12:9). Jesus showed kindness on many occasions (Jn. 8:11; Mk. 2:5,11).

C. Humbleness of Mind. Thayer says it means, "having a humble opinion of one's self; a deep sense of one's (moral) littleness; modesty, humility, lowliness of mind" (p. 614). This was Paul's attitude while at Ephesus (Acts 20:18-19). Paul, at times, was considered arrogant. But this was a false reading of his disposition. Cf. Matt. 23:12; Rom. 12:3; Phil. 2:3; Jas. 4:10.

D. Meekness: Meekness must not be confused with passiveness, or be taken to mean that one is spineless and afraid to oppose error. "Meekness is not weakness."

1. Moses had a strong spirit and a courageous heart; yet was meek (Num. 12:3).

2. Jesus was not weak when he ran the money changers out of the Temple (Jn. 2:13-17), or rebuked the Pharisees (Matt. 23). Yet, he is the best example of meekness (Matt. 11:29).

3. Meekness means "evenness of mind, firmness of mind." It denotes power under control like that of a wild horse that has been broken to ride or pull a wagon. Webster defines it as "enduring injury with patience and without resentment."

E. Longsuffering: The verb form means to be of a firm spirit, to be patient and enduring. We must not be weak and lose heart though distress and discouragement may come our way (Rev. 2:10). Even the strong have moments of despair (1 Kings 19:4; Jer. 20:7-9). Matthew 10:24-33 shows Jesus teaching five motives for putting on longsuffering:

1 . We will not suffer more than our Master (vv. 24-25).

2. All will be exposed someday (vv. 26-27).

3. Men must fear God rather than man (v. 28).

4. The value of man in God's sight (vv. 29-31).

5. Christ will approve the faithful someday (vv. 32-33).

6. We must run with patience the race that is set before us (Heb. 12:1-2).

F. Forbearing and Forgiving: "Forbear" means to bear with. It is easy to forbear those who have a natural kinship to us, but Christians are to bear with all in their inconsistencies and peculiar ways because we have a spiritual kinship (Gal. 3:26-27), which is far greater (Matt. 12:46-50).

1. Forgiveness: We cannot claim to be a child of God without forgiveness (Matt. 6:14-15).

2. Quarrel: Means complaint of accusation, from the Greek, momphe, to find fault, blame, censure and more importantly, occasion of complaint. If someone has given us reason to complain, we are to:

(a) Harbor no malice.

(b) Be ready to do him good.

(c) Be ready to declare that we have forgiven him when he asks for it.

(d) Afterwards we are to treat him kindly as if he had not injured us - as God treats us when he forgives us (Barnes, p. 278).

3. The following reasons show why the forgiveness of sins by Christ is so:

(a) It is procured by his blood of the New Testament (Matt. 26:28).

(b) He is our advocate (1 Jn. 2:1-2).

(c) He has been appointed judge of the world (Acts 17:30-31).

4. We are to forgive in the same manner that Christ forgives us. ". . . and if he repent, forgive him" (Lk. 17:3). One cannot forgive a person who does not repent, no more than God will (Nah. 1:13).

(a) The forgiveness of Christ is complete (Heb. 8:12).

(b) When we forgive, we need to forget. But sadly enough, some bury the hatchet, but leave the handle up in case the opportunity calls for the hatchet to be exhumed. This action befits the conduct of the old man of sin (Col. 3:8-10).

5. The crowning act. "And above all things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness" (Col. 3:14).

Conclusion:

1. Failure to adorn the gospel is to take the easy way out. Adorning the gospel is difficult, but since the gospel is inspired and our only hope, adorn it, we must.

2. How are your ornaments of the gospel?

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 4, pp. 104-105
February 18, 1988