Let's Get Dressed

Colossians 3:12-14

V. 5-9 Take off all the old rags you used to wear.

God's chosen people - Picked out from the crowd.

holy - separated from the worldly.

dearly loved - Wow! What more could I ever ask?

clothe yourselves - dress up, wear to display like a tee shirt that promotes what I like.

compassion - passionate caring.

kindness - what helps the other, even when not deserved.

humility - putting self in the background, focusing on the other one.

gentleness - smooth, soft, easy; not hard or harsh.

patience - no hurry, just relaxed and calm and cheerful.

Bear with each other - don't let their idiosyncrasies get to you, let them roll off.

Forgive whatever grievances... - give the benefit of the doubt if it may have been unintentional, or let it go even if it was intentional.

Forgive as the Lord... - I will never have need to forgive anyone else more than I have already been forgiven.

Over all ... put on love - This is the overcoat, the great coat, the dress coat, that completes the outfit.

binds them all together in unity - Ties us all together as family, and defines all the virtues, all we do in relationship with one another.

Love is the overcoat that is worn over all the virtues of clothing we are to wear. Love has compassion, love is kind, love thinks of others before myself. Love is gentle and patient. Love bears with each other and forgives as the Lord has forgiven me. Love fulfills all the Laws and prompts all the virtues. To love God and other people is the only rule we need to follow to become like our Lord Jesus Christ, and God the Father will receive all the glory.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!