Colossians 3:12-15 — Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

There are times when I think about a scripture that describes the Christian life — and then I think “are you kidding?” I mean, seriously, I’m only human! Look at the list of virtues we are suppose to manage — mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, persistence, tolerance, forgiveness, … and on top of all that, love and peace!
So, you know, if that’s the checklist, how are you doing today?
Paul provides the base from which we should be able to launch ourselves into the life of love that he describes. We are the “elect of God, holy and beloved”! I asked the other day if you know who you are. If you are a Christian, that’s who you see. You were chosen by God before your birth, you are set aside for His service, and He loves you! If we can cling on to those truths surely the challenges are manageable!
Paul describes the attributes that are to characterize our lives using a beautiful metaphor — one he uses elsewhere — we are to “put them on” like garments. We might take a moment to distinguish the beautiful spiritual items of clothing one from another. “Bowels of mercies” is really sympathy, the ability to share another’s suffering. “Kindness” is the desire for another persons good. “Humbleness of mind” is the recognition that we have no right or reason to be prideful. “Meekness”, that much misunderstood virtue, is power under control. (Of humbleness and meekness, Andrew Murray says “Men sometimes speak as if humility and meekness would rob us of what is noble and bold and manlike. O that all would believe that this is the nobility of the kingdom of heaven, that this is the royal spirit that the King of heaven displayed, that this is Godlike, to humble oneself, to become the servant of all!“. He understands these two pieces of the Spirit-provide wardrobe perfectly.) Lastly, “long-suffering” is the ability to show restraint under provocation. It is a divine attribute. How does God describe Himself — “And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…”
We are the elect of God, holy and beloved. And it is love, if you like, that should be the bond that ties our clothes together.
I am, at best, less than perfectly dressed by these high standards that Paul has prescribed for us. But I know that if I become more able to wear these garments of love, so I will be the better for it, with the peace of God ruling in my heart! How about you? Is this you? Do you recognize yourself in these clothes!