Colossians 3:12-15 (KJV) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Forgiveness Mandala by Wayne Stratz (Photo credit: Nutmeg Designs)
Kindness is often lacking in the church. One of the major complaints non-Christians have about the church is that its people are proud, self-righteous, judgmental, and mean-spirited. Certainly, this is not always the case, but it happens easily in those who live their lives according to their own wisdom and strength and not the wisdom and strength of God. We are told how to be more Christlike. We are to “put on”
- bowels of mercies
- kindness
- meekness
- long-suffering
According to Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary, the phrase “put on” means to put on, like a garment, in the sense of “sinking into a garment.” The phrase “bowels of” invokes a deep inward placement of the qualities of humility, mercy, kindness, meekness forbearing, willingness to forgive, and long-suffering. Our minds and emotions should be literally immersed in kindness, meekness and long-suffering.
We are told to:
- Forebear one another
- Forgive one another
- Forgive those who have quarrels against us
- Forgive as Christ forgave us
- Put on charity (love).
The next time you are tempted to hold a grudge, reject someone, or speak unkind or abusive words: Stop and pray for God’s strength to be merciful, kind, meek, long-suffering. Forgive, even as Christ forgave you. “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts…and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
May these words educate and comfort you today. Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).
– Verneda
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