Saturday, July 16, 2016

July 17, 2016

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion....." Colossians 3:12

Christ-followers are to clothe themselves in the virtues of Jesus. The more a Christ-follower resembles Christ, the better!

Jesus wore a robe and sandals, so obviously that is not what I am suggesting. This admonition was written well before the invention of Velcro, buttons or zippers so it is apparent we aren't talking about literal clothing.

Paul's message here is that Christ-followers in their attitudes, actions and demeanor should resemble the nature of Jesus. If you are around others regularly over a period of time, they should recognize you as a Christ-follower without you having to mention it.

One Christ-like virtue is compassion. In the Greek language in which this was written, compassion had the idea of "feeling it in your gut". The word literally is translated "bowels". You are to feel the sorrow or pain of another person deep in your "gut".

Isn't it true that when you are suddenly sorrowful that is where it hits you? Haven't you heard distressing news and felt it in the pit of your stomach?

What should a Christ-follower wear?

He should put on compassion!

But to put on a new article of "clothing" what must you do? You go into the fitting room and you take off the shirt you are wearing so you can try on the one you want to get.

In the same way, you cannot put on compassion until you take off what you are wearing. You can't be clothed with compassion if you are wearing a critical spirit. You can't put on compassion until you take off your prejudice. You can't be clothed with compassion if you are judgmental.

A Christ-follower takes off anything that keep him from putting on compassion for others.

Will you be clothed with the compassion of Christ today?

What must you put off in order to put on compassion?