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.”
I recently found an old journal I had kept of one of the worst times my husband and I have lived through and yet survived. It dated back to 2010-2013. It was like seeing the past come to life right before my eyes. There were a series of unbelievable events that, when we asked could it get any worse, it did. The series of trials we rebounded from involved finances, health crises, and messy relationships. In reviewing each incident on the pages I had recorded, I came across a statement I had written down from a sermon from Louie Giglio on Hope. “When you are going through the Mt. Everest trials, and you start to wonder if God really loves me, you need to use it for His glory. You are not a servant to your hardship.” That was a lesson God taught me back then and still is when it comes to needing healing of wounds and maybe some scars from problematic relationships and trials.
Every one of the qualities Paul lists in Colossians 3:12-14 are expressed in relationships. Showing mercy, kindness, humility, and patience are not always our natural inclinations. The picture comes to my mind of putting on a robe of love. That is a choice we need to make, and Paul states, “above all these put on love, which binds everything together in harmony.” How we treat people is more important, Paul teaches, than efficiency, diligence in industry, or cleverness – not that those things are not necessary. Resentment and bitterness have no crack to squeeze through when the choice is made to love others. When we choose to put on Christ, that is all that will truly satisfy. I need to stop and ask Jesus, what would you do in this situation? I don’t think I would then be as grouchy or unforgiving.
David Guzak’s Study Guide on Colossians 3, is brilliantly stated on his insight of God’s forgiveness versus man’s forgiveness:
- God forgives often knowing that we will sin again, sometimes in the exact same way. It is the habit of man to forgive only if the offending party solemnly promises to never do the wrong again.
- God bore all the penalty for the wrong we did against Him. In the habit of man, when he is wronged, he will not forgive unless the offender agrees to bear all the penalty for the wrong done.
- God keeps reaching out to man for reconciliation even when man refuses Him again and again. In the habit of man, one will not continue to offer reconciliation if it is rejected once.
- God requires no probationary period to receive His forgiveness; in the habit of man, one will not restore an offender without a period of probation.
- Once having forgiven, God puts His trust in us and invites us back to work with Him as co-laborers. In the habit of man, one will not trust someone who has formerly wronged him.
All of the virtues Paul lists in Colossians 3:12-14 embody actions of love. Love fastens, ties together, bonds, and unites relationships. The Message states it this way, “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”
Listen to Zach Williams -Less Like Me (Official Lyric Video), 1/29/21.