Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
We have been called to represent the King in a way that incarnates him. To incarnate means to embody in human form, to personify. We are his hands, his eyes, his ears, and his mouths. We put flesh and blood to who he is and what he wants for those around us. We are called to make his character and will seen, heard, and known.
Choosing the correct biblical response is so important. The words we select, the tone of our voice, and our body language speaks volumes to whomever we are conversing. But all the “right” words won’t communicate the love we need to express if our hearts aren’t in step with the Spirit.
God To The Rescue
All the grousing and complaining that we sometimes fall into only serves to fuel a simmering frustration we may already be fighting. But God can do something remarkable. He can orchestrate a personal rescue of sorts. One believer to another we can speak God’s truth into each other’s hearts. We can and we must do so.
We Help Each Other Stay On Track
Isn’t it just the like the Lord to bring another believer to us and who will speak the truth we so desperately need to hear? I’ve often reflected in hindsight of the many times when I struggled to love someone as God would have me do and then another believer was sent my way to challenge me; chastise me; and on occasion, gently rebuke me. And I needed that! And don’t we all require a jumpstart of our hearts at times? I know I sure do.
Let’s Be Jesus’ Hands And Feet
When someone rubs us the wrong way or perhaps is completely unaware of how their actions are affecting us, it is tempting to turn away from them in anger; frustration; and irritation. But God tells us to respond differently. Colossians 3 says to, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.” And how are we to accomplish this lofty task? By clothing ourselves, “with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Only when our hearts are rightly oriented to love others can we rightly represent our God to a watching world.
Take-away Action Thought
When I begin to feel angry; frustrated; or irritated with someone, I will remove myself from the situation and sit down with my bible and take time to read carefully through Colossians 3. I’ll read and reread this section of Scripture until I am settled within and ready to love both unconditionally and intentionally.
My Heart’s Cry to You, O Lord
Father, I am struggling today with my heart attitude toward someone. Please help me to have a tender and loving heart toward her regardless of her actions. Give me the grace to love her unconditionally. Remind me to pray daily for her and to find creative ways to demonstrate your love for her. Amen.
Practicing Grace and Gratitude
- Grace and gratitude from God – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I will memorize this portion of Scripture and recite it throughout the day to remind myself of how God wants me to be clothed in character so that I rightly reflect Jesus’ love toward others.
- Grace and gratitude in me – Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Each evening, I will spend some time reflecting upon the day and ask the Lord to reveal to me anyone for whom I am holding a grudge or resentment. Then I will spend time first asking for forgiveness and then time praying for these individuals.
- Grace and gratitude in life – Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Each day this week, I’ll ask the Lord to give me creative ways to demonstrate love to those I come into contact with.
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