Garments of Grace

Colossians 3:12

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

In the first part of Colossians 3 we have the ‘put-off’ and ‘put-on’ verses. Our lives as Christians are to be completely different from how they were before we accepted the salvation of God. Everything about us should change because we have died to self and are now alive in Christ.

What we think about should change; Paul says in verse 2, “set your minds on things that are above”. Our behaviour should change as we put-off old practices and habits. Our character should change as we put on the attributes of Christ, living in Him and through the power of the Spirit in our lives.

At the start of this series I mentioned that Rev. C.I. Scofield refers to the fruit of the Spirit as the nine graces. Paul’s encouragement to us is to clothe ourselves in these garments of grace every day. We are to put on compassion, put on kindness, put on humility, put on meekness and put on patience. We are God’s chosen ones, made in His image and for His glory; we are holy and beloved. God chose us and now we must choose to live in a manner worthy of His mercy and goodness in our lives.

Every day we choose how we will behave in the situations that come our way. The Holy Spirit is our helper and guide and He gives us the ability to walk faithfully, if we let Him.

Prayer: Father, before I take another step, help me to put on your garments of grace. Clothe me today in your love, your joy, your peace. Help me to put on patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. May I remember that I am chosen, holy and beloved by you. Thank you, Lord. Amen.