Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 16 – Colossians 3:12-14 – Bear With Each Other – Growing As Disciples
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Fully Clothed
That’s what I want. What’s that? I wanted to be fully clothed with your love. I want to be filled with compassion and kindness. I want to be gentle and patient. I want to live a life of humility. That’s good. But, I’m not there yet, that is for sure. It is very hard for me to bear with other’s weaknesses. It is not easy for me to overlook and let go of grievances. I want to forgive others as you have forgiven me. Above all else, I want to put on love. I want your love to flow through me. I want your love to live in me. I want to be able to live in perfect unity with others. That’s very good.
So, what are you asking of me? I want to be changed. I want to be different. I want to be like you. I want to live the life you are calling me to live. That is the most important starting point. Why is that? You desire to live the life that I am calling you to live. Not many have that desire. Not many want to be changed. Not many want to be different. Most are living, self-satisfied lives. They see weaknesses in others but none of their own. They hold on to anger and bitter grievances with others. Their lives are filled with disunity of every kind. So, your desire is very good.
What has your desire to be like me caused you to do? I have drawn near to you in prayer. I have come to rely on you. I have come to be in your presence. I have continued to meet with you in your word. What has been happening to you as you have drawn near to me? Are you the same person? Can you be in my presence and remain unchanged? No, I cannot be in your presence and remain unchanged. No, I am not the same person that I was before I started meeting with you. Are you encouraged or are you discouraged? Are you learning to clothe yourself with my love? I am encouraged. I know that you are working in my life. You are helping me to fully clothe myself with your love. Yes, I am. Will you keep on allowing me to change you? Yes, I will. That will be very good. Day by day, I will continue to help you to keep on clothing yourself with my love. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, I want to love and forgive others as you love and forgive me. Help me to be fully clothed with your love. Help me to forgive and set aside every grievance I have with others. Help me to live in perfect unity with others so I can live as your child in this world. Amen
Key Question… How is your being clothed with Christ’s love helping you to bear with the weaknesses of others?
Living It Out… Allow the Lord to clothe you with His love so you will be able to love and bear with the weakness of others.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to clothe yourself with His love so you will be able to love and forgive others.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has been clothing you with His love.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow Christ to clothe you with His love so you will be able to love others.
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