“12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:12-17)
As Christ-followers, We Need To Dress Ourselves With These 7 Christ-like Qualities:
- Compassion. (v. 12)
- Kindness. (v. 12)
- Humility. (v. 12)
- Meekness. (v. 12)
- Patience. (v. 12)
- Forbearance. (v. 12)
- Forgiveness. (v. 13)
“… forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you …” (v. 13b)
Forgiving means …
- You don’t rub it in their face.
- You don’t constantly remind them.
- You keep your mouth shut!
- You choose to put it aside.
Three Important Phrases:
1st phrase: “And above all these, put on love …” (v. 14a)
Love is the quality of acceptance of others because YOU are a new person!
2nd phrase: “… as God’s chosen ones …” (v. 12a)
You are chosen by God!
3rd phrase: “… holy and beloved …” (v. 12a)
You are favored by God and that makes you special!
Results of “Dressing Appropriately”:
Tranquility: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.” (v. 15)
Teaching: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom …” (v. 16)
Thanksgiving: “And be thankful …Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (v. 17)