Today’s Scripture: Colossians 3:12-15
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Today’s Devotional
Have you ever had an experience like this? You are going through your day and someone does something that would normally really set you off. Maybe they cut you off in traffic or eat the last donut or something worse. But instead of your normal reaction, you respond with kindness? Instead of yelling you respond with gentleness? If so, you have just experienced a small part of what living in our true selves produces in us.
In these verses of Colossians 3 we get to Paul’s main point to the Colossians. He has already described how we are hidden with Christ in God. He has already pointed out the behaviors of the false self. Now, he’s instructing his readers on what happens when they live their lives in their true self – the new self that comes from having Christ in us.
As we fully put to death the false self and begin to recognize that we are chosen by God and loved by God, we will live as holy people and will “clothe” ourselves with certain behaviors that are in direct opposition to the false self.
This true self – who really are – practices tenderhearted mercy. This self is kind and humble and gentle and patient. This self makes allowance for each other’s faults and forgives generously. This self lives in love and acts in love. This self is at peace and is thankful.
Take a quick inventory of your life over the past few days. Which self has been in control?
Today’s Prayer
God our lives go so much better when we live in truth of your love rather than the lies of our ego. Help us this day to live as the holy people we truly are and to be people who are merciful, kind, gentle, and patient.
Amen
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