Colossians 3:12-17
Clothes for the New Self
Read the passage
12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.
16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Paul addresses the believers as God's chosen people, holy and beloved. Their calling begins in His love. They are to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, qualities that fit the life He has given them.
They must bear with one another and forgive complaints as the Lord forgave them. Real relationships bring grievances, and Christ's forgiveness supplies both the pattern and reason for forgiving. Over all these virtues they are to put on love, which binds them together in unity.
The peace of Christ is to rule in their hearts because they were called into one body. This peace should govern their shared life, helping them resist the rivalry and resentment that divide it. Paul also calls them to be thankful.
The word of Christ must dwell richly among them. They are to teach and admonish one another with wisdom and sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude to God. Both instruction and worship help the church live under His word.
Every word and deed is to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, with thanks to the Father through Him. His lordship reaches beyond a gathering for worship into all the conduct that follows it.
Questions
1 How does Paul describe the people he calls to compassionate living?
AnswerThey are God's chosen people, holy and beloved. Their conduct is to reflect the love and calling they have received.
2 What is the pattern for their forgiveness?
AnswerThey are to forgive as the Lord forgave them. His mercy supplies the pattern for responding to grievances with one another.
3 How can Christ's word dwell richly among them?
AnswerThey can teach and admonish one another with wisdom and sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude to God.
4 How much of life should be done in Jesus' name?
AnswerEvery word and deed should honor the Lord Jesus, with thanks to God the Father through Him. His lordship reaches all of life.
What This Means for Us
Choose a short passage or hymn to share with someone this week. Talk about what it teaches of Christ and how to live by it. His word can become part of a conversation as well as a formal time of reading.
When a grievance surfaces, remember the Lord's forgiveness before deciding how to respond. Speak honestly, seek repair and refuse to use the wrong as a weapon. Love and truth can work together toward peace.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, let Your word dwell richly among us. Clothe us with compassion and patience, teach us to forgive and make our words, work and worship expressions of grateful love. Amen.