Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Let’s continue hearing from the LORD about His followers’ discord. Today let’s look at the outfit God has picked out for His children to wear.

Today’s scripture, Colossians 3:12-15 (NLT) instructs…
[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.

Consider…
The last couple of days we’ve been looking at identifying characteristics of God’s children. Today we’ll continue by paying attention to the clothes chosen for them to wear.

One of the things parents do with infants and little children is provide and pick the clothes they want them to wear. Said clothes reflect the parent’s taste or preferences, not the child’s.

It’s with that understanding that we read in today’s scripture that God’s children must wear:

• tenderhearted mercy
• kindness
• humility
• gentleness
• patience
• love

None of these articles of clothing are aggressive. That makes me believe God doesn’t want His children to behave like agitated adolescents frustrated by not getting their way.

Instead, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NLT) instructs…
[11] Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. [12] Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.

Notice our behavior should engender respect from non believers.

Today’s scripture also sets forgiveness and peace behavior expectations.

Specifically, verse [13] instructs us to…
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Notice we’re expected to forgive like God forgave.

And verse [15] tells us to…
Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.

Wait, God tells us to let Christ’s peace RULE our hearts. That makes me think of Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) which exhorts…
[6] Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

So rather than worrying about others we don’t like or agree with, God wants us to talk to Him, not make our feelings known to them.

In fact the Holy Spirit reminded me that Romans 12:19-21 (NLT) instructs…
[19] Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. [20] Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” [21] Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Interesting that God says we should help our enemies when they’re in need rather than pay them back for a misdeed.

1 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT) reiterates the compassionate response that God wants us to have for others. It says…
[8] Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. [9] Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

You see, God wants us to treat others like He treated us. In case you don’t remember how God treated us, Ephesians 2:3-5 (NLT) testifies…
[3] All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. [4] But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, [5] that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

That’s the word I am looking for, GRACE! God wants us to extend His GRACE to those we think should still be subject to His anger.

The Holy Spirit is emphasizing we must be better, not bitter. He made His point with Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)…
[31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. [32] Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

This seems like a fitting place to stop, given the graceful behavioral words in verse 32 that align with today’s scripture…

• Kind
• Tenderhearted
• Forgiving

The Holy Spirit is saying, if we’re truly God’s children we should dress and behave like it.

Today’s song is…
Clothed With Christ

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)