Colossians 3:10-17

¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. ¹¹ Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

• Patience

Patience means self-restraint, and a steady response in the face of provocation. It is the spirit which doesn’t let mankind’s foolishness and unteachability drive it to cynicism and despair or let the insults and ill treatment drive you to bitterness and anger. Patience is the opposite of resentment and revenge. Patience is putting up with those the flesh wants to put down. 

Practicing the attributes listed in verse 12 makes the actions listed in verse 13 possible. “bearing with one another, and forgiving each other.

• Forbearance and forgiveness 

In relationships there is a lot that needs to be endured and it is the spirit of forgiveness that makes difficult things endurable even erasing them. Love is repeatedly having to say “I’m sorry.” In relationship we are vulnerable to pain and forgiveness brings peace. Studies show that it is not great riches that make people happy, but FRIENDS AND FORGIVENESS. For many an unforgiving spirit is often the last emotional fortress that we yield to the power of God. We cling to anger and bitterness because we feel that those who have wronged us should suffer. We want justice and what is fair and Paul points out we are the recipients of an over fair God. When we realize how much God has forgiven us, We are compelled to extend mercy to others.

ILLUSTRATION

OLD JOE was dying. For years he had been at odds with Bill, formerly one of his best friends. Wanting to straighten things out, he sent word for Bill to come and see him. When Bill arrived, Joe told him that he was afraid to go into eternity with such a bad feeling between them. Then, very reluctantly and with great effort, Joe apologized for things he had said and done. He also assured Bill that he forgave him for his offenses. Everything seemed fine until Bill turned to go. As he walked out of the room, Joe called out after him, “But, remember, if I get better, this doesn’t count!” 

Isn’t that a picture of the way we often treat one another, the forgiveness we offer is superficial, and it is given with a selfish motive. We say that we forgive, but when the least little friction arises, how quick we are to resurrect past grievances. We like to “bury the hatchet” with the handle sticking out. That way we can easily pick it up again and use it to our advantage. When we forgive someone we’re not minimizing the harm they caused nor condoning the sin they’ve committed, we are simply choosing to place the offense into the nail-scarred hands of Jesus. 

• Love

Love is the spirit of self-sacrifice that comes from God as we walk with Him. Love lashes all these attributes together with bonds that can’t be broken. Love is the beauty of the believer, dispelling the ugly sins that destroy unity. If compassion is the inner, garment, and if kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance and forgiveness are its active-wear shirts and pants and socks, then love is the overcoat. “On top of all these things,” Paul says, “put on love.” Love brings warmth to a relationship. Love is not merely an emotion, emotions wear thin and threadbare when feelings ebb. Love as the overcoat is made up of two things commitment and caring. It’s the solid ground on which my  marriage rests. “I will be there for you.” That’s the commitment but what good is commitment without caring? Caring says, “I commit myself to you and I will be there for you.” 

Colossians 3:10-17

¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. ¹¹ Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

• PUT ON GOD’S PROVISION for the new life (Apparel) Vs 12-14

The call is to take Action to Put On – This is not a passive activity and it does not happen automatically. Paul gives us the analogy of putting on clothes but this is more than just apparel its Christ like attributes attitudes and actions.  PROBLEM – So often as we look at the list of attributes: tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, we see them as weakness. You can’t live that way and get ahead in this world, if we really lived these out we will get run over and become a door mat. Our world tells us to dress for success for recognition but God calls us to dress for relationship. We are to put of the things that destroy relationship lust, greed, anger, slander and put on those that build relationship and the clothes Paul invites us to put on are not made of natural fibers. They must be woven of spiritual stuff because human nature says, “I’ll do my fair share but no more.” 

1. Tenderhearted mercy – Compassion 

Literally, compassion means “a heart of pity” but pity does not mean pathetic. Compassion is an inner attitude expressed in outward action. A fullness of tender caring for and about the other’s vulnerability and strengths which will overflow into how you treat others both publically and privately. As Christians we should not be indifferent to suffering. We should care about others needs and be willing to live in another’s skin, feel what they are going through. Compassion was certainly characteristic of Jesus. He was so moved with compassion for people that He wept for them (Luke 19:41). He was so concerned about the poor that He fed them. He was so concerned about the sick that He healed them. Living in the roughness of this world can make us callouses, compassion is the ointment to callouses and keeps us tender. 

b. Kindness

Kindness is closely related to compassion, it is meeting the needs of people on whom we have compassion. Kindness is action that reveals compassion, benvolence in action, grace that seeks to touch others and take the edge off their harsh reality. Jesus used the word when he said, “My yoke is easy” (Mt. 11:30), not harsh or hard to bear. Kindness is focused on serving not selfishness, it is pained for us in the picture of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), who bound the wounds of an enemy, took him to an inn, and spent a good amount of money so that the man could be cared for properly. Sympathy is sorry for pain, empathy feels your pain, kindness helps stop the pain it is a garment with healing woven into its fabric.

c. Humility

Humility enables kindness to flow because it allows us to accept people as they are. We are all made in the same mold, only some are moldier than others. Humility is not naturally human and comes when we gaze into the greatness of God and see His grace. When we realize that we become who we are only by His grace. Humility is the antidote for the self-love and the pride that poisons relationships.  Pride leads to power struggles and the need to be right hurting others where humility lends a helping hand.   Humility is not putting yourself down it is lifting others up.

d. Gentleness

 Gentleness is not weakness but power under control. It is the picture of a horse that has been trained and can be ridden. It is real strength, but it does not have to display itself or show off how strong it is. Gentleness is the garment of the God-controlled person. When you put on gentleness others can take off self-defensive armor, wariness, fearfulness, and can put on trust. Gentleness results from place yourself and your situations under God’s will, when we do so we do not need to control others.