Colossians 3:12-13 NLT
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
This concept is hard for us to wrap our minds around, but God chooses us; we do not choose Him.
This doctrine is one of the most controversial subjects of the Bible.
But I believe that this is one of those subjects that we are to work out as we study the Word of God.
Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
If God has provided you with the faith to believe, let’s look at what this will look like on the outside to those around us.
“Since God chose you to the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with:”
1. Tenderhearted mercy – By definition, the word tenderhearted means having a kind, gentle or sentimental nature. Mercy means to have compassion, especially to those you have something over or the ability to lighten their load.
As a Christian, the Spirit of God should produce a gentle nature of compassion to those around us.
If this is not present, bring this to God and ask Him to produce this quality in your life.
2. Kindness – The definition of kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
For most of my life, I have been a very task-oriented person. I started my day with a plan, and anything (mostly other people) who got in the way of my tasks were looked at contemptuously.
Psalm 86:5 NLT
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
This verse changed my heart about that way of thinking within me.
I am thankful for God’s Words and their ability to cut my shallow thinking.
I have realized that the people in front of me are my work, placed there by God for me, not against me. They are an opportunity for me to help and to show the glory of God through me.
The fantastic thing is that the more I focus on helping solve other people’s problems, the more time I have to get my work done.
God will provide the time to get it done.
3. Humility – Definition: A modest or low view of one’s own importance; humbleness.
God will get His work done with or without us.
It should be a privilege for us to be used by God to help Him accomplish His goals.
James 4:10 NLT
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
Luke 14:8-11 NLT
“When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
4. Gentleness – Definition: The quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered.
There is something about someone who gently carries themselves. There is a sense of inner confidence in someone who can listen, absorb, and kindly suggest what should happen next.
There is something abrasive about someone who comes through like a “bull in a china shop.”
But there is something persuasive about someone who gently comes into the room; you can see them; they are the people you like to go and talk to. They are attractive because of the person they are.
5. Patience – Definition: The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.
This attribute was always a problem for me, with myself and with others.
Things were never going quite fast enough for me. Eventually, I would take matters into my own hands, generally looking down upon the person who was in the way. Of course, it was always for the greater good.
When we move out in front of God and start to take matters into our own hands, we never give God a chance to show up. God wants to be part of our lives, but we never give Him a chance to show up because of impatience.
6. Make allowance and forgive. This is where we give others room to grow and forgive those who may offend us.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. I pray that Your Word shapes my mind, changes my heart, and produces the actions that glorify You in every way.
I pray that through my life, You are glorified.
I am thankful for those You place in my life, help me have a heart of compassion and heart for them.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️
