‘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. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.’

Colossians 3:12-17

Friends, we need doctrine more than ever, all the time. We must be in Paul’s letters, examining, studying his epistles as he is the apostle to the Gentiles. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another… Colossians 3:16.

In Colossians 3:12-17, Paul provides a powerful blueprint for living a life that reflects the transformative power of Christ’s love. He urges believers to clothe themselves with virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and above all, love—the bond of perfection (Colossians 3:12-14).

As children of God, we are called to emulate Christ in our interactions with others, extending grace and forgiveness as He has done for us. In a world marked by strife and division, our conduct should stand as a beacon of Christ’s love, drawing others to Him through our words and deeds.

Moreover, Paul emphasizes the importance of unity among believers, encouraging us to bear with one another and to forgive as Christ forgave us. This unity is not merely a superficial harmony but a deep-seated bond rooted in our shared identity in Christ.

Central to Paul’s exhortation is the supremacy of Christ’s peace ruling in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). When we allow His peace to reign within us, it transcends our circumstances and empowers us to approach life with gratitude and thanksgiving.

Furthermore, Paul underscores the significance of God’s Word dwelling richly in us, guiding our thoughts, words, and actions (Colossians 3:16). As we meditate on His Word and sing praises to His name, we are filled with a profound sense of gratitude and reverence for all that He has done for us.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Word, which illuminates our path and guides us in righteousness. Clothe us, O Lord, with Your virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, and love, that we may reflect Your image to the world. May Your peace rule in our hearts, and may Your Word dwell richly within us, shaping us into vessels of honor for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Study:

Colossians 3:12-17