HIGHLIGHT
Colossians 3:12 (ESV): 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
EXPLAIN
Paul wrote Colossae Church, concerned that they were being taught that the way to spirituality was observing Jewish feasts, asceticism, worship of angels, etc.
Paul told them that in Christ we have died to this world and were raised to new life in him. Therefore, we are to put on the new life of righteousness and put to death any vestiges of the old life of sin.
Therefore, Paul began a list of things to put on as God’s people. This list does not end with this verse. Furthermore, the application of the new life is seen later in this chapter in how various family members related to each other, as well as how those in the workplace were to behave.
APPLY
When we get ready for the morning, what items are on our checklist? At the very basic… clothes, belt, shoes, watch, phone, computer/iPad and other tools of whatever trade we are in.
We probably also arm ourselves with a steely resolve to fight through traffic and get through the day with others, competitiveness to get ahead in our career, etc.
Paul wrote that as God’s people we should put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness and love.
Paul was not writing that we should be pushovers in life. Rather, these virtues are the basic characteristics of what it means to be a Christ follower. Our calling as Christians is to be like Christ… in all moments.
RESPOND
Heavenly Father, equip me today with these virtues of the Christian. May I live throughout the day with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.