Scripture:   Colossians 3:12-4:1   Commentary

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12, NLT).

Observation:

Much like a team uniform, love is the clothing by which the holy people of God are recognized (v.12, 17). The love itself comes from Christ when we allow his message of complete forgiveness of all our own sins to fill us (v. 16). Only then can we “make allowance for each other’s faults” (v.13). Christ’s love for us infuses each of our relationships: believer and believer, husband and wife, parents and children, owner and employee, and believer and unbeliever. No situation, relationship, or circumstance is immune from our “tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (v.12).

Application:

How I think of others, what I say to and about others, and what I choose to do or not do for others are of great concern to the Father. These behaviors, both internal and external, are the proving grounds of my faith (John 13:35). In essence, loving others in thought, word, and deed is the work to which Christ has called me.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for loving me and forgiving me of my sins. May the love of your Son permeate every thought I have and every word I say. Guide me through your Spirit to loving actions, and warn me away from those which would do harm. Keep me from the temptation of steering my own selfish way. Mold me to be a holy, thankful, loving representative your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. In whose name I pray, Amen.