I hope this finds you living from the new life that Christ has given you! Several times in the last week I had to say “I am dead to that…I am new person in Christ.” And you know what? It stopped me in my tracks and helped me concentrate on the things above and not on the things of the earth! Now, I know what some of you are thinking. Well, I want to think about Christ, but many times when I am struggling, Christ is the last thing from my mind. Believe me – I can understand that! However, that it is why it is so important for us to be spending time with God (seeking things above and not the things of the earth). You see, when you are seeking the things above, it is easier for the Holy Spirit to get your attention (not that He can’t get your attention if He needs to anyway!). Today, we will continue in Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB):
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Last section we were told to put aside anger, wrath, malice, etc. This section teaches us to put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, and peace. Notice how verse 12 starts: “So, as those who have been chosen of God” – God chose you! Let that marinate in your heart. As Colossians 1:13 says “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” As one of my good friends always says – if it wasn’t for God’s grace, I would be a fried graton in hell in the future (Cajun humor).
Let me try to illustrate this section: Let’s assume your son has a green shirt, and it is in his closet. And you tell him to go put on his green shirt. Therefore, all he has to do is go get the green shirt out of his closet and put it on – he already owns it. When Paul tells you to put on “compassion, humility, gentleness,” etc. – you already have it. How can I say that? Because Colossians has revealed the mystery to us – Christ in you the hope of glory! Everything Christ has – you have at your disposal. Again, if we are controlled by the Spirit of Christ inside of us, we will see things such as compassion, humility, gentleness, love, etc. However, if we are controlled by our old ways, we will see anger, wrath, malice, etc. Read Colossians 3:9-11 again: “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all” (NIV). Let’s take that old wardrobe off and never put it on and wear it again! Let’s stay in the new clothes that Christ gave us. Let’s seek things above. See you next week!