The must have garment
This week I have been reading Colossians. The Apostle Paul wrote this letter around 601AD, from prison, to a church in Colosse (in Turkey). Even though Paul never went there, he wrote to encourage them how to live as Christians...
“God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So you should always clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. Even more than all this, clothe yourself in love. Love is what holds you all together in perfect unity.”
I love the ‘clothing’ imagery. We have a choice - do we wear it or not. Are you choosing to wear this ‘God clothing’ of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience? It’s some outfit! Also, Paul reminds his readers, to bear with and forgive one another - because God bears with and forgives us! Finally, back to clothing, the essential must have item...love. God’s love for all people, we share life with, and for the planet, God created for us to live on! Are you wearing these clothes today?
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader