The impressive description of our Christian identity as “God’s holy people” in the first half of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, is the wondrous thought that empowers Paul’s “Therefore” in chapter 3, verse twelve. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Paul is urging us fellow believers in Jesus to understand that since God has chosen us to be his Kingdom ambassadors in the world, we are expected to be appropriately dressed with the beautiful and lovely garments from God’s own wardrobe of Jesus-like virtues. These garments will visibly set us apart and identify us as the people of God who pray “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
The first virtue that Paul lists is “compassion.” To be clothed with “compassion” will be seen in our sympathetic sharing, like Jesus, in the suffering or misfortunes of another, coupled with the desire to give aid, support, and mercy. “Compassion” will also be seen in my being emotionally moved by your pain and seeking to act on your behalf with consoling presence and empathy.
The Gospel writers repeatedly used this word to describe Jesus’ response to others. Matthew 9:36, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Again in 14:14, “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” And in response to the request from two blind men for healing in 20:34, “Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.”
James 5:11 tells us that “The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” This echoes the psalmist in Psalm 145:8-9, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”
And the other Jesus-like virtues in Paul’s list, “kindness, humility, gentleness and patience,” are interwoven into this lovely garment of compassion,
Then in verse fourteen, Paul describes the outer garment as love. “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” According to Paul, “love” is the visible outer garment that completes and unites all the parts of our character into a single whole. Being and doing cannot be separated. What we say and do flows out of who we are.
Paul addresses us as “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.” As Christians our identity is certain and clear. We are God’s chosen people, and being such, we are expected to be appropriately and fully clothed with his garments of love and compassion every day and in every situation.
Holy compassion is so needed in our communities and nation today. Let us recommit ourselves to caring about our neighborhoods and doing our best in being compassionate and loving.
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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – October 4, 2023
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
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