This verse has been on my heart for quite some time now and I felt like sharing with you all for this week's blog post. So buckle up, and let's dive into this!
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the LORD forgave you.
-Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV)
So let's break it up here,
"Therefore, as God's chosen people."
We are God's chosen people! He has a purpose and a plan for each and every one of us if we are willing to pursue it. We were created to praise and serve him. We, as Christians, are his "Chosen People."
"Holy and Dearly Loved."
Let me tell you reader YOU are LOVED!! It does not matter who you are or what you have done His love is unconditional and unending. We are so loved by God that, "He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16) to us so that we may live eternally with Him someday in Heaven. We are His holy and dearly loved, chosen people, how encouraging is that?
"Clothe yourself."
Encompass yourself. Cover yourself. Fully engulf your mind and spirit into these things that are about to be listed.
"With Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, and Patience."
Wow! What a list huh?
Compassion: the KJV calls it mercy. Mercy is not giving to someone what they deserve. Compassion is another form of love; the technical definition is "a tender feeling" or "sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortune of others." It is a simple, "Let me help you" or "Are you okay?" Clothe yourself with Compassion.
Kindness: it is a synonym of compassion. The definition is "the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate." Kindness is giving that cashier or waitress a smile. Kindness is praying for someone even though you cannot stand them. When you put kindness as a priority, you will soon realize how much it can change your day.
Humility: the KJV puts it as humbleness of mind. The word humble means, "having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance." An act of humility would be volunteering your services for the sole purpose of helping someone. Luke 18:9-14 shows us another form of humility demonstrated through the Pharisee and the Publican (or tax collector.) "But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 18:13-14). Humility or humbleness of mind is a very important part in our walk with God that we should strive to demonstrate each and every day.
Gentleness: or in the KJV, meekness. Meek and gentle are considered synonyms along with: submissive, subdued, and passive. Listen to the voice of God rather than rushing in with your own plan or idea of what is best. Another synonym of meek is obedient; God wants us to simply obey Him so that we can experience his blessings according to his plan.
Patience: The KJV says longsuffering. I have to admit this is one I have to work on constantly because I am a do-it-yourself person and I do not have the patience to watch someone do something that I could have done myself. We all forget sometimes that there is more than one way to get to 4. You can add 2+2, or 3+1, or multiply 2x2, any of these will get you to 4; but sometimes we lose patience with someone who doesn't take the same route we do. Have patience with that driver in front of you; you don't know what she is going through. Also, have patience with God's timing, he knows exactly what you have been through. Luke 8:15 says, "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." God has not forgotten you or your circumstance, but he blesses the patient believer. In a generation that is all about getting what they want as soon as they want it, have the patience to wait.
"Bear with each other and forgive one another."
There is no point in weighing yourself down with that baggage any longer; forgive and move on. You cant change the past so why linger in it. Hate and not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. You are only hurting yourself so forgive and move on with your life.
"If any of you has a grievance against someone."
In other words, if you have any thing against someone else whether it be because of some past action or just an attribute that you do not like about the person, get rid of it. There is no room for that kind of negativity especially in a youth group or church!
"Forgive as the LORD forgave you."
Ephesians 4:31-32 is a similar passage: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Verse 31 mirrors the part of Colossians 3:13 where he talks about having a grievance against someone. Christ is willing to forgive us of all of our sins as along as we repent. If we are to forgive as he has forgiven us, we are to forgive anyone for even the most irritating thing they have done. It is a high standard to live up to but once you begin to forgive instead of dwell on the past, you will be so much happier in life.
I encourage each and every one of you to take this verse to heart and apply it to your life. Thank you for reading and feel free to sign up for my mailing list! I love each and every one of you have a fantastic week!
