Scripture: Colossians 3:6-12
"But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 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. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."
Observation:
Once one knows Christ, one must be different. Old lives fall away, and the new life in Christ emerges. Spending the rest of my life clothing myself in love is a beautiful honor full of joy. I don't want to hold anything against anyone. God forgives--and so will I. (Thankfully with His help!) No one that has ever done wrong to me or mine will suffer at my hands, even if it's only in my own mind.
Prayer:
Lord, please let Christ's peace rule in my heart . . . I want that so much, forever and ever. I want to clothe myself in tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And more than anything, help me to forgive! Show me my unforgiveness--the dam that holds back love for someone else, and dissolve it so Your love can flow from me to anyone and everyone You will. In Jesus' name, so be it. Amen.
