LIVING AS GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE

Passage: Colossians 3:12-17

Key verse: 12

NIV

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves(A) with compassion, kindness, humility,(B) gentleness and patience.(C) 13 Bear with each other(D) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.(E) 14 And over all these virtues put on love,(F) which binds them all together in perfect unity.(G)

15 Let the peace of Christ(H) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body(I) you were called to peace.(J) And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ(K) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom(L) through psalms,(M) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.(N) 17 And whatever you do,(O) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks(P) to God the Father through him.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

12 (A)Put on then, as (B)God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, (C)compassionate hearts, (D)kindness, (E)humility, meekness, and patience, 13 (F)bearing with one another and, (G)if one has a complaint against another, (H)forgiving each other; (I)as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on (J)love, which (K)binds everything together in (L)perfect harmony. 15 And let (M)the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called (N)in one body. And (O)be thankful. 16 Let (P)the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, (Q)singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, (R)with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And (S)whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, (T)giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Clothe yourselves (12-14)

Paul describes the proper clothing for Christians. We have a new and wonderful identity in Christ: we were chosen by God, dearly loved by Him, and made holy in Christ. Our new nature requires a new set of clothes! We are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These are the wonderful qualities of Christ himself. We are to forgive those who have wronged us and bear with all our brothers and sisters. Over all these beautiful garments we are to put on love, which unites them all. The contagious, radiant love of Christ is to be visible to all.

2. The body of Christ (15-17)

The world is often a contentious place, full of strife and division. The church is to be different from the world. The body of Christ is to be a body of peace and thanksgiving, where the message of Christ dwells richly and flourishes. Members build each other up by teaching and admonishing each other in the wisdom of God while songs of praise and gratitude fill the community. Everything is to be done in the name of the Lord and for his glory.

Prayer: Father, help us to grow in Christ.

One Word: Live as the people of God