God’s Word is FULL of practical principles for living everyday life. In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, God illustrates how we are to receive and treat others with whom we come in contact. Paul instructs, “Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”
How counter-culture are these instructions? Where being offensive, offended, and hostile are all the rage (no pun intended), God instructs us once again to go against the grain and do the unexpected:
- Make allowances for one another; In this text, “make allowances for one another” means being understanding and forgiving of each other’s faults, shortcomings, or mistakes. It suggests a willingness to be patient and considerate, recognizing that nobody is perfect and that people may occasionally err or fall short of expectations. It encourages giving forgiveness, grace, and mercy to one another.
- Forgive: In the context of the text, “forgive” means to pardon or let go of any feelings of anger, resentment, or ill will towards someone who has offended or wronged you. It involves a conscious decision to release negative emotions and not hold a grudge, fostering reconciliation, and peace in relationships.
- Be Kind (even when someone is mean or has an attitude toward you): In this context, “kindness” means the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate in one’s actions and behavior towards others. It involves showing compassion, empathy, and a willingness to help or support others without expecting anything in return.
- Be Gentle: “Gentleness” refers to the quality of being considerate, mild-mannered, and showing kindness and tenderness in one’s actions and interactions with others. It’s about treating others with care and sensitivity, avoiding harshness or aggression.
- Be Humble: thinking about the interest and welfare of others above our own interest or welfare. In this text, “humble” refers to the quality of having a modest attitude. It means not being overly proud or arrogant but rather displaying a sense of humility, acknowledging one’s limitations, and treating others with respect and equality.
- Be Merciful: not giving judgement and wrath, even when it may seem appropriate. In this text, “merciful” refers to the quality of showing compassion, forgiveness, and sympathetic towards others, especially when they have made mistakes or committed offenses. It implies a willingness to extend kindness and understanding rather than harsh judgment or punishment.
- Patience – The capability to remain patient and composed in the face of delays, challenges, or distress without becoming angered or perturbed. In this text, “patience” refers to the ability to endure delays, challenges, or the shortcomings of others without becoming easily frustrated or upset. It emphasizes maintaining a calm and composed attitude even in the face of difficulties, displaying forbearance and understanding towards others.”
You may say, “this is a tall order.” And you would be right if we tried to do it in our own way, with our own abilities. But with the Spirit of God living in and working through us, we can begin to change our clothes.
“Holy Spirit, I implore You to help us clothe ourselves with all Your attributes so we can be good ambassadors for the Kingdom of God. Each day, work inside our hearts and minds to align ourselves with You. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”
1 thought on “I Choose Today to change my clothes…”
Such a good reminder. God has been teaching me lately about “how to treat others.” It is by modeling the character of Jesus. This is not easy, but as you said, with Holy Spirit’s help, we can. Thank you for sharing.