Clothe Yourselves

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
(Colossians 3:12)

Meditation

As a believer, my behavior will speak many more volumes to unbelievers than anything I tell them about Christ. My actions speak much louder than my words. I want everything I do to be a reflection of Jesus. I try never to complain about the tasks I’m presented with, no matter how menial they might be. While I’m at work I should treat my coworkers as though I truly love them like Jesus loves them. I should want to help and encourage in any way I can. That just means I should be kind and humble while doing my best to complete my duties and help others do theirs. When I get home, should behave as if the Lord were an honored guest in my house. I should treat my spouse and children with gentleness and patience, no matter what my emotions are like at the moment.
If I’m rude and fail to show courtesy and compassion under less than ideal conditions, I show myself to be a hypocrite. Any verbal witness I would offer about Jesus would be completely outweighed by my actions. Jesus continuously showed compassion to the people around him. He wasn’t rude or haughty in any way. If I strive to be the best example of Christ, I will attract many more people to him. However, if I am a loud-mouthed bully, even if it’s only some of the time, I will push people away from Jesus. He wants me to be his hands and feet, doing the work of the kingdom, while I’m here. I am set apart from the unbelieving world; pulled from the darkness into the light. Whether I am the preacher at the pulpit, or I sit in the pews I am held to the same standard.
In the verse, you are told to “clothe yourselves” with these attributes. If you stop to consider this verse for a moment, you will realize, when you do those things, you have “put on” Christ’s attributes. He was all of those things and more and we should strive to be like him every day of our lives. In Galatians 3, we are said to be the children of God if we are baptized into Christ and clothed in him. We will be heirs with him in the kingdom of God. There is no way we’re ever going to be the perfect example of Christ, but as long as we keep striving to be, we will be rewarded but the Father.




Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, you know all things and you see all things. There is no place for us to hide the wrongs we do, so we confess our sins and ask your forgiveness. As your adopted children, chosen out of a wicked world, we will put on Jesus like a robe. His righteousness covers us and makes us righteous. Father, thank you for plucking us out of the darkness you found us in and given us a new purpose for our lives. That is to spread the good news of your kingdom to everyone we meet. Your love fills us with compassion for the lost and down-trodden that need to hear of your love. Help us to always show your kindness when it’s needed because it’s in short supply these days. Keep us humble, Lord, when pride begins to enter our hearts. Give us a spirit of gentleness so our interactions are always profitable for your kingdom. In showing your patience with us, we have the example of being patient with anyone we have to contend with. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Devotional for May 12 - May 18

Image
To all my readers: I am changing this blog to a weekly format. I am being forced to do it this way because this blog site is saying my blog is too short to continue publishing. I purposely try to keep it short so you will have time to read it every day. I hope you will understand and keep reading. Thank you, Brad Hopkins May 12 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15) Meditation Before I was saved, I worked in a very competitive environment. Many of my co-workers were very jealous of the accomplishments of others. I have to confess; I too would get that green-eyed feeling if I didn’t get promoted when I thought I deserved it. Outwardly, I showed a happy face. I would congratulate the person who was recognized or promoted, but inwardly I was terribly envious. I received as many promotions as most in my career field, but I couldn’t rejoice for others because of jealousy and covetousness. I didn’t know how to deal with grief s...
Read more

Where is Your Citizenship?

Image
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Philippians 3:20) Not long after I decided to follow Jesus I began to realize I didn’t really fit into my old life anymore. The things I used to think were great fun had lost their appeal. The sci-fi television programs and movies I used to always want to watch, seemed inappropriate. Probably because they were literally my religion before I got saved. My friends didn’t understand why I wasn’t coming around for most of the old activities. I guess I was in the process of figuring out where my citizenship was, heaven or hell. Now I understand, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am a citizen of heaven, I’m just a temporary visitor, to this world. My passage home to heaven has been paid for and guaranteed by my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I live my life as a resident alien and look forward to the day I move on to my permanent and eternal residence. Jesus will rescue me and the rest...
Read more

Preach the Word

Image
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Timothy 4:2) Meditation I used to think it was only the pastors job to preach the Word of God. I’m not a preacher, so it didn’t occur to me to share the gospel. However, this verse does not say, “Preachers, preach the word.” Whether you realize it or not, we are all ministers of the gospel. We have been charged with the awesome task of telling everyone about Jesus and why he went to the cross. When Jesus gave the “Great Commission,” to make disciples of all nations; he wasn’t just talking to his own disciples. He was speaking to every one of us. There is no other mission or calling more important than that for us. Even if we go to church every Sunday, but do nothing else, we’re not in the game; we’re just spectators. Jesus doesn’t want fans, he wants followers. Whether we’re in church or somewhere else, we’re responsible t...
Read more