Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Col. 3:12
Warning…when I read Colossians 2:16-3:17 my mind was racing in all sorts of directions. (Stay tuned… good reads below.)
After reading verse 14 in one translation it says “Love is what holds everything together” and I thought about the Captain & Tennille song, “Love Will Keep Us Together”. Then I bebop over to another translation, and when I read the same verse it says, “love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” My mind started singing Paul McCartney’s song “Ebony and Ivory” when he says “live together in perfect harmony.” (I told you my mind was racing. Maybe I should change that to singing.)
Before verse 14 Paul writes about, “You have taken off those old clothes—the person you once were and the bad things you did then. 10 Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day.” (verses 9-10) My thoughts go to my shopping experience this past Sunday afternoon. I wasn’t shopping for clothes, but…on my way to the checkout line I observed this adorable, “Fallish” colored dress that require no ironing, hanging on the rack calling my name. I turned the price tag over, saw that it was one $12!!!!, and decided that that dress is now mine.
A new life in Christ is sort of like that, but only better! Often when you are not looking for a change in lifestyle (but most often you probably are), God’s way catches your attention, like that dress did for me. He is calling your name. One of the awesome things is…He already paid the price. To have a new life in Christ is F-R-E-E! (That beats my steal-of-a-deal.)
The surrounding verses direct us on the “old life ways” we need to rid ourselves of, and the “new life ways” we need to “clothe” ourselves in. These verses, again, made my mind go to a previous devotion I had written titled Whose Design Are You Wearing. (Check it out. What-to-and-not-to-wear writing.)
Finally, in verse 13 Paul wrote, “Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Whew! This brought another journal entry to mind. Folks have told me it was a powerful and transparent. Please visit: Therapy!!! I get real here talking about a time of needed forgiveness in my life. Hopefully it will help you with understanding the importance of forgiveness as well.
Okay, I “think” my thought chasing journal entry is over now. I hope you were able to keep track.
I want to always encourage you to read “Walking in the Word” scriptures for yourself. Pray for God to speak to and through you. Apply His word to your life and discover the wonderful difference He makes in your life thorough your obedience to Him. Oh, Blessed, you will be truly blessed!
Blessings and God’s abundant love to y’all.
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