The Compassionate Life – Day 258 – Colossians 3:12-14 – Above All Clothe Yourself With Love – Growing As Disciples
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. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT)
Clothed
How will you be clothed? What will you put on? What kind of life will you live since I chose you to be my child? I will live a life that is pleasing to you. I will seek to know and do your will all the days of my life. I will follow the example you set before me. It is my hope and desire, dream and plan to think and speak and act like you. I know it is your will that I become like you. Yes, that is my will for you. Yes, I want you to live a life that is pleasing to me. I want you to become like me in all you think, and say, and do. That is entirely correct.
What are elements of clothing that you will put on? I will put-on tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. I will always make allowances for the faults I see in others. I will always forgive others who offend me. Why is it especially important that you do these things? I have many faults. Sometimes, it is very difficult for me to see my own faults. Nevertheless, I know that they are many and glaring. Why I can so easily see others faults but not see my own is beyond me. So, I will make allowances for others that I hope that they will make for me. I also need forgiveness for when I offend others. Again, my need of forgiveness is not rare and unusual or infrequent. So, remembering my own need of forgiveness, and how you have freely forgiven me, has set before me a powerful reason and example why I need to forgive others readily and freely. How could I expect to receive forgiveness from others or from you if I lived an unforgiving life? You could have no hope or expectation of receiving what you were unwilling to give to others. But I am ready and willing and able to forgive. I am determined to do for others what you have done for me. That is very good.
How else will you be clothed? What else will you put on? I will put on love. I will allow the love you have for me to flow through me to others so that they will be drawn to you. And what will be the sign that you are truly putting on my love? I will be living in harmony with others. I will be a bold and bright witness for you in the world. I will be bearing fruit for your Kingdom and bringing glory to your name. I will be living the life you have called me to live. Yes, you will and that will be very good.
Lord, thank you for choosing me. I will remember that you have forgiven me so I can readily forgive others. Help me to make allowances for the faults I see in others that I cannot see in myself. Help me to put on love so I can live in harmony with others. Amen
Key Question… When has remembering that the Lord forgave you helped you to forgive others?
Living It Out… Clothe yourself with love so you will be able to live in harmony with others.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to clothe yourself with love so you can live in harmony with others.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are making allowances for the faults you see in others.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you clothe yourself with love so you will live in harmony with others.
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