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. Colossians 3: 12, 13, NIV.
Holy God, as we come together to study Your Word, please be here with us. Without You, we can do nothing. So please teach us how to be better individuals for Your honor and glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Yesterday our study was based on the first two attributes/virtues in our Scripture: compassion and kindness. Today, we are going to continue studying about the others. We do this with a prayer that the knowledge acquired, will help to make our relationships healthy and strong! The apostle encourages Christians to “wear” these virtues. I believe, that more than just putting them on, and then taking them off again, the “wearing,” consists of making them a part of our characters, as the following text suggests: “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck” (Proverbs 1: 8, 9). Obviously, that is the way we are to wear these virtues. As we “put them on,” they beautify our characters, as well as our relationships! So let us look briefly, at the rest of these virtues.
Humility. If there is one garment that should not be missing from the wardrobe of any Christian, it is the gown of humility! The best example we can follow, is the example of our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ. And He voluntarily, chose to wear this gown, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross” (Philippians 2: 5-8, emphasis provided). This, was the ultimate humility. He did it of His free volition. We ought to walk as He walked (1 John 2: 6). Can you imagine a relationship, where the people are humble? No one is seeking to have their own way. Rather, each is seeking the well-being of the other.
Gentleness. This virtue is a part of the fruit of the Spirit. Most people respond very positively to a gentle person. I know I do. I am naturally drawn to people who are gentle in spirit. I feel relaxed, and safe, in their presence. There is no threat in the presence of a gentle person. Their attitude inspires confidence and cooperation. No wonder children, and people from different walks of life were drawn to Jesus. A gentle person is honest, without being judgmental. They are kind, without being controlling, and loving ,without smothering the person they love. Their garment is comfortably “loose-fitting.” Gentle people make good partners in a relationship; and they are a joy to be around!
Patience. For some reason, it seems as if the older we become, the better this garment fits. I wish they came in more youthful sizes! But the good news is, that whenever you are ready to wear this robe, Christ has one made just for you! Can you imagine if people went to the store, to the office, to church, and even to bed, wearing this garment, what a pleasant place our world would become? It is not too late for us to begin!
Forgiveness. We will need one of these. If we do not wear this gown as we deal with each other, Christ has said, He will not forgive us (Matthew 6: 14, 15). That alone, should be reason enough, to acquire one. How wonderful we feel, when we have done wrong, to see the person who we have wronged wearing a gown on which is written in big letters: F O R G I V E N E S S! What confidence it inspires! Well, just think about how the other person, who has done you wrong feels, when he or she sees you wearing your Robe of Forgiveness. Let us bring others the joy, we want to receive for ourselves, by forgiving one another.
Friends, do not worry about the cost. Jesus already paid the complete price of this new wardrobe, for all of us. And there is one with your name, and my name, on it. Ours will be there when we need it.
NOTE: I request your prayers for our website (yours and mine). At the present time we are facing some technical difficulties. This may account for some of the editing done to the devotionals during the day. Our apologies for any inconveniences this may cause.