Having Bible knowledge and understanding is great, however if the scriptures are not living and active in our lives, it is all in vain (Hebrews 4:12-13). The life application selections contain thoughts provoking, real life challenges that will prayerfully transform us to be more like Jesus in our spiritual journey. James 1:23-27 challenges us to not just merely listen or read the scriptures, it says “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” Do not miss your blessings my friends!
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Jesus ended his lesson teaching his disciples how to pray by saying, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14-15). There was a time in my life where I could not embrace forgiveness. I was very adamant that before I could forgive those who have caused me harm, they had to admit their fault against me or apologize. I recall convincing myself that God understands my reason for resenting the individuals and refusing to forgive them.
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Apostle Paul charged the Colossae church what they must clothe themselves with as dearly Loved children of God (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, Verse-12). After he charged them to apply these attributes in their lives, he reminded them to “Bear with each other and forgive one another.” Think about the sequence of Apostle Paul charge to the church! How can we bear and forgive each other if we don’t emulate these virtues in our lives? Jesus was the perfect example of all these virtues that I believe carried him through the crucifixion for a sinner like me (Romans 5:6-8).
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.
What does it mean to have patience as a Christian? The KJV used the word longsuffering. Honestly, I can relate to both words because God has revealed to me this is one of the hardest virtues in my Christian journey. I did not consider myself impatient, at least most of the time. God has shown me in the past few months how I am often lacking patience with myself, God’s timing, my family, friends and people in general. As I spent several weeks pondering on the different virtues that I am called to be clothed with, I am learning this is going to be my long-life battle until I see Jesus to rescue me from my sinful nature.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
What does gentleness imply in our lives as Christians? Gentleness is used interchangeably with the word “meekness.” As I study the life of Jesus through scriptures, I am continually learning what gentleness is not. I recall as a new Christian/disciple of Jesus Christ in my passion and joy knowing the Lord, I missed the entire concept of gentleness according to Jesus. I was quick to condemn, judge, reject, cancel/dismiss people who did not have the same passion for the gospel as I did. Until one day God spoke to me through his Holy words and different spiritual speakers. Most of all, through Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul’s example in the Bible. In Romans 5:8, Paul reminded me that Christ died for us while we were lost in darkness.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Matthew 5:5, “blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth” (NIV). Proverbs 18:12, “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor goeth humility” (ASV). What is humility? Jesus taught us what humility looks like in the eyes of God. Philippians 2:6-8 reminded us “Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God something to be possessed by force. On the contrary, he emptied himself, in that he took the form of a slave by becoming like human beings are. And when he appeared as a human being, he humbled himself still more by becoming obedient even to death —death on a stake as a criminal! (CJB)”. If you have read previous devotionals I have written, you will hear me often say that I love how Jesus never asks us to do anything that he himself has not modeled for us as we are striving to walk in his legacy as our savior and Lord.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
How do you clothe yourself with kindness in a world where kindness is often taken for granted or sometimes seen as weakness? Growing up I recall a few people that God had allowed to show kindness to me even though I had no blood relation to them. There is one woman in particular whom God used to teach me what it is like to be loved by a mother figure as a young child when I was desperately seeking maternal love. To my amazement, she was not doing it to gain any recognition or reward but simply had a deep genuine ‘moral excellence’ toward my wellbeing. In Hebrew-Greek the word Kindness is chrestotes which derives from the word Chrestos. They described the word as “usefulness, moral excellence (in character or demeanor)-Gentleness, goodness, kindness (Key-Word Study Bible). Webster dictionary described kindness as “the quality or state of being kind.”
