No.256 - Clothe Yourself with Compassion

The Compassion of God’s Heart

Clothe Yourself with Compassion

 Colossians 3:12-14

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Starting Prayer

Dear Lord, I come before You seeking insight into the compassion of Your heart. Help me understand how to clothe myself with compassion, kindness, and love as Your chosen one. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Background

Colossians 3 emphasizes the new life believers have in Christ. In these verses, Paul urges the Colossians, and by extension all believers, to put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and forgiveness. He emphasizes the importance of love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. This passage reminds us that as God's chosen ones, we are to reflect His compassion and love in our lives.

Be Encouraged

The instructions in Colossians 3:12-14 provide a blueprint for how Christians should interact with one another. Just as we put on clothes every day, we are called to "put on" compassion, kindness, humility, and love in our relationships. This means showing understanding and mercy to those who are hurting, being patient with those who annoy us, and forgiving those who have wronged us. When we clothe ourselves with these qualities, we reflect the compassionate heart of God to the world.

Additionally, the command to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us is a powerful reminder of the depth of God's compassion. He has forgiven us of all our sins, showing us undeserved mercy and grace. In the same way, we are called to extend forgiveness to others, regardless of the offense, because of the great forgiveness we have received from God.

Additional Verses

- Micah 6:8: "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

- Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Invitation

Let us clothe ourselves with compassion and extend forgiveness to others, just as God has forgiven us. If you have not yet given your life to Christ, He invites you to do so today. Visit the nearest Church of Christ to you where you can be assisted to obey the Gospel through faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance from sin (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31), and baptism for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). You can become one of His chosen ones and experience the fullness of His love and compassion.

Concluding Prayer

Lord, thank You for the insight into Your compassionate heart. Help me to clothe myself with compassion, kindness, and love each day, reflecting Your character to those around me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

May the Lord bless your day.

Theodore J. Quist

Evangelist

Church of Christ

Abokobi - Accra

Ghana

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