“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” – Colossians 3:12-13

Scripture reading: Colossians 3:12-13

Paul uses the language of clothing. First, he calls us to remove the robes of unrighteousness and stop sinning. Christ, through Paul, calls us to put on the new robes of righteousness and be clothed with Christ’s holiness. We have seen He is the image bearer of the invisible God, and we, too, bear His image, which displays itself in true righteousness and holiness, whereby we strive to live holy and pleasing lives.

Jesus taught us that by their fruits, men are known and that if we abide in Him as the vine, we will become fruitful branches. We cannot bear fruit without Him, but we are to be engaged in bearing fruit (John 15). Paul teaches us from Galatians five of the fruits of the Spirit and to walk by the Spirit. He lists those fruits as: “Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

That list of virtues is utterly anticultural for that day. It is for us, too. Ours is a world of self-promotion, self-determination, to be “woke”, filled with pride. Whether regarding gender or morality, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, many have decided they are god and will do as they please. But we must be a different community. They will know we are Christians by our love and the fruit that we produce. That is Christ in us, and we live out of that faith, hope, and love, forgiving as we have been forgiven.

Suggestions for prayer

Pray for the fruits of the Spirit, to be forgiven and forgiving, and to live by grace alone, by faith in Jesus, not by works. Pray for blessings on your daily work, walk, and new opportunities to serve God and your neighbours.

Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.