July 27,2018
Colossians 3:12-17 The Message (MSG)
On Wednesday, we started a new Bible Study series from the gospel of Matthew. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told those listening that God designed human beings to be receivers of the abundance of the Spirit; the inheritance and blessing of the kingdom of heaven. We must first confess we are poor in spirit in need of God’s Spirit to be satisfied or filled. Just think about it, we have the privilege of holding within our bodies everything heaven offers with the purpose that we would treasure it on the inside and wear it like clothing on the outside. We can wear the essence of God’s righteous presence; garments of compassion, kindness, meekness, and love.
In our passage today, the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Colosse aligns with this same teaching from Jesus Christ. When we live in the blessing through fellowship with the Lord, we can dress in the wardrobe God picks out for us each day. That challenges my thinking and leads to the question, “Why do you suppose we draw from the closet of our flesh and what we can produce in ourselves, rather than pull out the perfect Tailor made garments?” Honestly, it is our inclination to dress ourselves based on what we think, how we feel, and what we want. How will you dress, today?
Colossians 3:12-17
12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
Prayer: Father, thank you for the reminder that you have fashioned the perfect wardrobe for me as your daughter. Holy Spirit, please help me dress to please you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.