Memory
Verse Colossians 3:12(KJV)
“Put
on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”;
As chosen people of God, we are to live a holy life
as we saw in our passage yesterday. We saw some of the things we should get rid
of, today we are going to look at the virtues we need to possess that will make
us truly the chosen people of God. We represent God; therefore we should be
like him in all aspect.
• Clothe
ourselves with compassion
• Clothe
ourselves kindness
• Clothe
ourselves humility
• Clothe
ourselves gentleness
• Clothe
ourselves patience
• Bear
with one another
• Forgive
• Above
all these put on Love
• We
were called to peace, therefore the peace of God should reign in our hearts
• Digesting
the word of God
• Teaching
and admonishing others on the word of God
• Singing
psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude to God
• Whatever
we do, let it be unto the Lord, for we are God’s representatives here on earth.
These virtues stated in this passage are also the
fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), now we see the importance of having
the Holy Spirit in us. We need the spirit of God to exhibit these
fruits/virtues.
We are in a world where anger, hatred, corruption
and the likes are the order of the day, we as God’s chosen people should be
distinct. It is these virtues that will differentiate us from those in the
world.
Why do you think love is paramount to all these
virtues? It is very important to possess love; we are told in 1 John 4:7-8 that
God is love; therefore as chosen people of God, we are love as well. We are to
show love to everyone whether good or bad, Christian or unbeliever. Love covers a multitude of sins (Proverbs
10:12 cf 1 Peter 4:8). When we love, it is very easy to exhibit the other
virtues. Love will make us forgive someone easily no matter how many times they
have wronged us. Jesus is our perfect example for love, he came to die. He had
compassion on us and couldn’t bear to see us remain in our wretch state. Love
will enable us have compassion on someone even though they don’t deserve it; it
is love that will make us show kindness to one another. Love for God, will
enable us study his word daily and want to know him more. Love will make us
want to represent God who has called us to be his chosen ones.
It is our duty to forgive one another, having the
word of God dwelling in us richly will endeavour us live Holy lives. I
emphasised inn our study yesterday that we shouldn’t focus on the problem but
rather on the solution and Paul provided us with a detailed solution in today’s
passage. If we love God, we will focus our minds on God rather than on earthly
things.
When we sing psalms and hymns, we should allow the
meaning sink into our hearts and meditate on them. They can help in renewing
our minds and channelling our minds towards God. Thanksgiving is being
emphasized in this passage; we should continually give thanks to God for who he
is and for his wondrous and numerous blessings. The fact that we sleep and wake
up is a miracle; some other people don’t have this opportunity. Be grateful and
like the psalmist, always give thanks.
The peace of God that surpasses human understanding
has been given to us freely, we should endeavour to live at peace with all men
(Hebrews 12:14, Phil 4:7).
Since we are God’s representatives, we should
represent him both in our words (by preaching, teaching and admonishing people
about the gospel) and in our deeds (by living as Christ and portraying these
virtues). We should practice what we preach, our deeds speak more that our
words. The world is watching, it is your deeds against your words.
Examine your life, are you exhibiting these fruits?
Do you still lie against your neighbour or slander them or there is something
in your life you placed before God, then you need to change because you are not
living a Holy life. We are God’s chosen people, let us therefore ensure to shine
bright and represent God in this evil generation. God bless you.
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