Colossians 3:12-17
Colossians 3:12-17
New King James Version (NKJV)
Character of the New Man
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
My Thoughts:
- So let’s start with (v. 12) we read “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;”
- In yesterday’s study we saw the sin and vices to avoid today we see Christ and His traits that as Christians must pattern our lives after. Here is a similar list of virtues (Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 4:32 – 5:1; Phil. 4:8; Titus 3:1-2)
- In (v. 16) we read “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
- Living in this new pattern leads the believer to reflect Christ and Paul knows that the power of the risen Christ, expressed in the lives of His people, is more than a match for the power of evil.
- Let’s finish with (v.17) “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
- We need to live our lives for Christ, not just one day a week. As pastors we are accepted to lives reflecting Christ. But the thing is as Christians we are all called to live in Him and this means that even the bus driver, the teacher, the bank clerk or whatever job you have, do it with Christ in your heart and others will see Him through you.
Thought of the Day
“Kindness is Christianity with its working clothes on.”
In 1975, John Molloy wrote a book called Dress For Success, which became the fashion guidebook for many people trying to climb the corporate ladder. Molloy’s advice centered on a basic premise–always dress like your boss.
Every day, for work, school, or recreation, we all have to decide what to wear. And even in the dress-down 90s, people strive for the right look.
But we must also make choices about another wardrobe–our attitudes and actions. If we claim to be followers of Christ, our spiritual apparel is of far greater significance than our physical clothing.
Take a look at God’s dress code for us. As His chosen people, we are to clothe ourselves with “kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering” (Col. 3:12-note). We are to demonstrate patience and forgiveness (Col 3:13-note). And above all, we must “put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Col 3:14-note).
Do I begin each day by acknowledging Christ as the Person in charge, the One for whom I work? Do I take time to clothe myself with attitudes that please Him? Am I wearing what people are most longing to see–compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love?
If so, I’ll be dressed for success in God’s service. –D C McCasland
O to be like Him, tender and kind,
Gentle in spirit, lowly in mind;
More like Jesus, day after day,
Filled with His Spirit, now and alway. –Ellsworth
Personal Reflection and Discussion
- Do you live your life as Christ would?
- What do you think Paul meant in (v. 13)?
- What other things do you see in the text?
Prayer Activities
- Call your Partner and discuss this devotional.
- Continue to have a prayer list and continue to praying for them.
- Pray with them and ask for the following;
- For God to help you take a good look at how spend your Sabbath.
- For God to strengthen stop looking at man-made religion and focus on Him.
- For the individuals on your pray list.
- Let’s use (Psalms. 93:1-3) for today’s prayer verse.
About bobh6
40 Days of study 
Do I live my life as Christ would? NO NO NO. I cannot even begin to live anywhere close to how Jesus lived. As a man He knew No Sin. The only time I am sinless is right after I have asked forgiveness of my sins. I have to ask Jesus for help so many times during the day and it is still not enough or I choose not to listen to His still small voice. No I don’t live as Jesus would (did) live His life, but through mercy and grace, I am forgiven and my Lord does the best He can with what I let Him do. Verse 13 is talking about us forgiving those who have wronged us either intentionally or by accident. It is not easy to do but we cannot ask for forgiveness if we don’t forgive. We nailed Jesus to the tree with our sins and He forgives us. Forgiving others should be easy.
I agree with you, to many times we call ourselves Christians and ask God to forgive us of our sins but yet we are not willing to do the same for others.
Love, peace and thanksgiving are another three key points. I think practicing love and thanksgiving…yields peace.
Thought it was interesting it says let the word of Christ dwell richly in you so that you may be able to teach and abomish, not neccessarly throwing quotes to them like a dagger, but in plsams and songs; beautiful, sweet and refreshing to the soul. I would guess that would include proverbs like Jesus did. Let the word take root in you first then express the truth learned and teach like an artist….appealing to their senses and logic, express it and let them dwell on it themselves afterwards.
I agree with you Rosi, I wish I was more more like Christ and less like me. I love Him, draw peace from Him, and am thankful He could live in my heart, make changes to my thinking, and shine forth His love to others. That’s much easier than me worrying about not always meeting His standard…I trust I’m a work in progress.
We are all a glorious work in progress and will be until the day of His return.