Seeing the Peace of Christ in Relationships

Colossians 3:19-4:1

Paul is concerned about how disciples of Christ are living out their faith in relationship with those in their household so here, he gives some instructions (in a very brief form). There is a pattern to these instructions: the "subordinate" is spoken to first before Paul speaks to the person with more authourity. The head of the household is spoken to three times (as husband, father and owner of slaves). In each case, the way that they relate to to each other is supposed to reflect something of their relationship to Christ (except for when Paul speaks to husbands and fathers - there is no direct connection made about their relationship to Christ although it is implied in other passages. For example, in Ephesians husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the Church). The main argument of the passage is that the new life that we have in Christ (or, in the context of this letter, the new outfit we have - see verses 12-14) is to be reflected in the way that we relate to each other. This is not unique to this letter - Paul visits this theme frequently in his other letters as well. He seems most concerned about the relationships in the Christian household and I think that it is because we often let our guard down at home and it is in those family relationships that there is the most danger to not reflect the character of Christ.
Since I don't own any slaves, the specific instructions for me are to love my wife (implied: as Christ loved the church which means that I have to die to or let go of my own desires and dreams to see the desires and dreams of Christine fulfilled. This is a trust relationship because I am trusting Christine to do the same for me.) and to be gentle with her and to encourage Zach and not frustrate him.