Colossians Bible Study Day 11 of 14

Read Colossians 3:12-17

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:12-17

Everyday when we put our clothes on we are surrounding ourselves with materials to protect, conceal, and express ourselves. As God’s children Paul has instructed us to clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, empathy, and forgiveness. It is a long list, but it can be summed up in one word: love.

The benefit of our new wardrobe is we might also learn to have the peace of Christ. This peace should lead to thankfulness. Paul’s emphasis on this is clear; three times in verses 15-17 he calls us to be in a state of gratitude.

“…be thankful…” “…with gratitude in your hearts….” “…giving thanks…”

Gratefulness is a direct result of choosing to surround ourselves in God’s love everyday.

Imagine if everyone who read these words went out into the world with a new set of clothes. If we surrounded and expressed ourselves in compassion, humility, and forgiveness. If we were known as loving and thankful people. If, whatever we did, whether in word or deed, we did it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, our Father.

We would change the world.

Diving Deeper

In verse 12 Paul makes three claims about you.

1. You are God’s ______________
2. You are ______________
3. You are dearly ______________

Sit in those statements. What does that say about You? What does that say about God?