Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional and our summer inspiration series. Today, as we finish our reflection in Colossians 3, we consider the attributes that we need to ‘Clothe ourselves with’ and ‘put on’ in order to have healthy relationships.
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‘Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.’ (Colossians 3:12-14)
Yesterday, we began to look at these verses. We considered how understanding how we have been loved by God, is essential for how we then treat others. It’s on the basis of our new identity that we are to ‘put on the new self’.
i. Compassion
This is to feel deeply for others’ suffering. It says of Jesus:
‘When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.’ (Matt 9:36)
As Jesus has shown us compassion, we are to show compassion. A big reason why the church is so often prayer-less and fruitless is that she is not dressed in Jesus’ compassion. Compassion is what gives urgency to our faith.
ii. Kindness
Our compassion is to overflow into acts of kindness rather than unwise zeal that burns people. This refers to acts of kindness in light of God’s kindness to us in Christ. This kindness is best expressed in the gospel as Paul writes:
‘And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.’ (Ephesians 2:6-7)
iii. Humility
This is to imitate Christ in His humble service to God and us. This is about not thinking too highly of oneself. Someone with humility does not always have to have his or her way or have the high-status roles. They are more aware of their own failures than those of others. The opposite is pride, which is revealed when we are easily offended and fail to humbly serve. We are to be like Christ of who we read:
‘And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!’ (Philippians 2:8)
iv . Gentleness/meekness
We are to dress in the meekness of Christ. Jesus tells us:
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).
To dress or be ‘yoked’ with meekness is to have strength but to have it under control; Jesus, for example, is terribly powerful (omnipotent), yet He treats us with gentleness! likewise, we are to exert the appropriate amount of force in our relationships.
v. Patience
This is ‘long-suffering’. this is to put up with people who annoy us for whatever reason. Too many people leave their local church or area because they are not prepared to have patience. However, Jesus’ patience toward us is to be imitated in our lives! Let’s dress in patience.
Response
In response, are we applying this ‘therefore’? Are we treating others as we have been treated by God? Let’s dress like Jesus. Why would we want to wear the old and grubby fashions of our old life? Many people give so much of their tim
Community group notes and study
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Our message on Sunday, Inspired from Psalm 76:4, reflected on what it means for God to be ‘radiant light’. The Bible often uses light to speak of the appearance and ways of God; God’s light draws our attention to His holy and good nature, and, secondly, light speaks of His good ways that cast darkness out of our lives. Our message can be summarised as: God’s light restores worship and holiness.
Please read Psalm 76:4
Did God speak to you about anything specifically from Sunday’s message?
What would you say are the main teaching points of this short section of Psalm 76?
Why does God sometimes show His light (His glory) in a visible form? (See Luke 9:28-31 for example)
What does God’s light and glory teach us about His nature?
What does God’s light and glory teach us about His will for us?
What does 1 John 1:5-6 teach about the fruit that must attend anyone’s profession of faith?
Prayer - It might be good to pray for one another regarding anything that has come out of this challenging study.
SIV - Why is the pursuit of worship and holiness vital for us to be a light to this world?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus.
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