As God's Chosen People, Cloth Yourselves Compassion, Kindness, Gentleness, And Patience

COLOSSIANS 3:12-17
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 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. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 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. 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.
”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:12-17‬ ‭NKJV‬
‬https://www.bible.com/114/col.3.12-17.nkj

v

My brethren, if we are to consider ourselves God’s elect, then surely we must live as God’s elect, holy and acceptable to God, for that is the least one can do (ROMANS 12:1-2).
Therefore, as Paul tells us, clothe yourself with Christ compassionate, forgiving attitude, His mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing one another. But above all else, put on the love of Christ.
Love is more than simple words, feelings, or emotions. It is a deliberate action of care toward others without expectation of anything in return.
God’s love for you is so great, that He sent His only begotten Son to pay Your debt of sin that you might live (JOHN 3:16).
Theirs no hidden agendas; it’s very simple “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned (Mark‬ ‭16:16).”
Caring for others doesn’t mean to die for them, but we can reach out to help them with the caring attitude of Christ. That is seeing their troubles as important as one’s own, Including those of our enemies-those who have or intend to harm us or persecute us (MATHEW 5:43-44).
“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25:21-22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
As for forgiveness, Jesus said,
“if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:14-15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
The key to forgiveness, is remembering how much God has forgiven you.
We have all wronged both God and people by sin, and are in need of a Saviour; we all need to be forgiven.
By failing to forgive anyone, we are hating that person, and revenge is in us; that is not Jesus way and will lead us to eternal death because “if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:15‬ ‭NKJV‬
The truth is, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”
‭‭I John‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
To forgive, is not to say we must allow someone to continue causing us harm, or we should make him our best friend or even like him. But rather, it means to let go and not seek revenge or payment for the wrong afflicted upon us.
We simply write off the debt and move on.
Does that mean we must allow that person to continue abusing? No of course not. Forgiveness is giving that person an opportunity to live right, just as our Father in heaven gives us the opportunity to be right with Him.
Whilst we dwell on the situation, considering payback or revenge, we relive the situation and are dragged through the pain again and again. But by forgiveness, we cut the tie that drags us back into the pain and are set free. No longer are you the “victim,” but rather, you become the “victor,” and become free to live for Christ because your Father in heaven will forgive you and the peace of God shall rule our hearts.
To live in peace doesn’t mean that suddenly all our differences of opinion are eliminated; but it does require that loving Christians work together in service to the Lord by the leading of the Holy Spirit despite their differences; trusting God in every situation.
Despite the fact that Judas was stealing funds, the rest of the disciples were called to continue to work with him until his end (John 12:6), and the truth is, we may be called in similar situations.
Just as the devil can use God’s people for his purposes, so God can even more and does use the wicked for His purposes.
As God’s elect, we are called not to question why, but to simply say “Yes and amen” to every instruction of the Lord and leave all judgment to Him.
All discipline must be out of love and by the leading of the Spirit.
Like Jesus, we are here to “do the will of our Father in heaven.”
To operate outside of the leading of the Spirit is walking in the flesh and will lead to disaster (GALATIANS 5:16-26).
My beloved, rather than focusing on the faults of others, look at yourself and focus on Jesus. We are all responsible for our own salvation.
Paul tells us, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:4-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
My beloved, we are all called in one body, the church; “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
There are many different faiths in this world, but talking to Nicodemus, “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.””
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
My beloved, unless it’s Christ ministry, it shall profit you nothing.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
There is no other way, except through the five fold ministry of Christ, of which Jesus is the head.
He alone has made a way where there was no way for all who believe on Him; all who believe on the name Jesus Christ.
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.