“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 one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. 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).
The apostle Paul wrote the above in his letter to the Christian church in Colossae. He sent this letter to remind them of their new identity, now being in Jesus Christ, and to encourage them not to waver in their commitment to Jesus as Lord; and to live in the world fully dressed for success wearing God’s garments of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love.
Paul’s letter is rich with timeless truths that remain just as relevant for today’s Christian church. I pray you will read and hear Paul’s entire letter as being freshly written to us in this year of 2023.
In chapter 3, verse 12, Paul addresses the Christian church as “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.” Whether we like it or not, our identity as God’s chosen people is certain and easily identifiable as both an individual or a church. Easily identifiable because what we do flows out of who we are, and thus, who we are is revealed by what we do. Doing and being cannot be separated!
“Holy” references our character; that is, what moral and ethical standards control our attitudes and actions and shape our reputation. That is why Paul urges us to put to death, get rid of, those attitudes and behaviors that keep us from becoming holy. “Holy” also means “being set apart” and dedicated to God’s mission, our vocation, in the world.
But there is more. Paul addresses us as “holy and dearly loved” people of God. Think of the person or persons who love you the most. How do they feel and act toward you? Think about the strength you receive from their loving you. There is nothing more important than knowing that you are loved?
And yet, Paul tells us that God’s love is greater than the love we receive from any of these persons. God’s love for us is unconditional, not dependent upon our merit. God’s love is a constant flow of empowering grace which keeps us steady and strong in our life journey, no matter what happens.
“Therefore, ……. clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” In the preceding verses, Paul describes what devilish attitudes and actions must be taken off and gotten rid of by those who want to be God’s people.
Then Paul lists the Godly virtues that a Christian is to put on in order to be “dressed for success” in Kingdom living. In using the word “success” I am thinking of our efforts to daily live into the prayer Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Compassion – I will have a tender heart. I will deeply care about you and do my best to help you. My feelings of pity for your pain and sufferings will motivate me to act in your behalf.
Kindness – I will be kind and generous. I will say and do useful things to improve your well-being.
Humility – I will speak and act with confidence, remembering who I am in relation to God and others.
Gentleness – I will speak softly and kindly, exercising self-control because I am God-controlled.
Patience – I will strive to endure unpleasant situations, unexpected hurts, and unwanted problems, leaning into God’s sustaining presence.
Yes, these virtues also describe Jesus’ life and character while in our world as a human person. Jesus was able to be fully clothed with these virtues because of His complete reliance on the presence and power of His Father’s Spirit being in Him. And this same reliance is needed by us in order to be fully dressed for success in our vocation as a disciple of Jesus.
Paul concludes his clothing list with these added adornments: “Bear with each other” (affirm, value, and respect another) “and forgive one another … as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
“Put on love” – Love is the heart-felt attitude that binds together the various virtues of our character into a single whole. It also binds together the Christian church of various personalities and giftings into one perfect unity.
This unity, this oneness, is the concern and petition of Jesus in His prayer for us. “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. …. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:22-23).
The Christian church to be a grace-filled, grace-equipped, grace-celebrating people, in whom Christ dwells richly and through whom grace flows to those around us. May we sincerely invite God to help us be so. Amen!
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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 25, 2023
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
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