Put on Love (Colossians 3:14)
How much thought do you give to the clothes you wear?
Do you just pull out the first shirt that comes from the drawer? Or do you think about what you’ll be doing, and select the most appropriate garments for the day?
When it comes to our spiritual clothing, Paul has good advice. Writing to the Colossians, he reminds God's people of the spiritual clothes that we should wear. But first, he tells us what we shouldn’t wear:
As disciples of Christ, he urges us to take off the old rags of unrighteousness. These are put to death when we’re baptized into Christ:
· immorality; Impurity, Lust, Evil Desires, Greed, Anger, Rage, Malice, Slander, Filthy language/Lying (Col 3:5-9).
Quite a list! These things, Paul tells us, bring about the wrath of God. These are the clothes we wore before we became followers of Christ. But when we become disciples of Jesus, we must get rid of them and put on new clothes. Our lives, in Christ, must be different. Put on new ones. So What should Christians wear? (Col 3:12-14) When you follow Christ, everything changes. Off with the old! On with the new. So welcome to the catwalk of faith!
Paul tells us we are holy: set apart for God’s use. We are dearly loved. God’s love can transform us if we will let it. We are to clothe ourselves with:
· Compassion - demonstrate in practical ways that we care for people around us. Don’t just talk the talk – walk the walk!
· Kindness – how badly so many people need to experience kindness!
· Humility - recognizing who we are compared to Christ.
· Gentleness - having the loving heart of Jesus for others.
· Patience - don’t expect perfection in others.
· Bear with one another - extend the grace of God to those around us.
· Forgive each other – don’t bear a grudge.
· And over everything else – Put on Love- Love: is like an overcoat which embraces all of these qualities.
Get the best designer label possible. (v. 15-17) Labels mean a lot in clothes, especially when you are young. Labels mean even more in our spiritual clothes. If Jesus Christ is not on the label of your spiritual clothes you are wearing the wrong clothes. When Jesus is on your spiritual label, you have peace and thanksgiving. Paul finishes this passage by giving us the keys to the changing room: 1. Bible Study. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with wisdom.
2. Corporate Worship. As you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to each other with gratitude in your hearts. The style of worship doesn’t matter. What counts is the attitude of our hearts. 3. Service. Whatever you do, whether word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. Whatever we do, we can do it as a service to the Lord.
So: put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. Bear with others and forgiving as the Lord has forgiven you. Over all these virtues put on love.
Comments