As we make our way through this section of Colossians, we discover what we should be like as a new creation in Christ. After learning what we should put off in Colossians 3:5-9 we move into the instructions of what to put on. The principle of putting off and putting on should be one that we carry throughout our Christian lives. When we take away something that isn’t pleasing to God, we need to replace it with what is acceptable to Him. Otherwise, it will be very easy to go back and put on what we took off. There will be a void left where we discarded the wrong and it needs to be filled to overcome the temptation to go back.
Paul begins the instruction of teaching us in Colossians 3:12 what to put on after we take off the old.
Colossians 3:12 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”
We are God’s elect or chosen ones. Not chosen as one person favored over another, or picked out beforehand, but as those who are presently saved. Out of our own free will, we followed the prompting of the Holy Spirit to follow Christ. Because of this, we are set apart as objects of God’s love.
Paul now lists five qualities that we are to put on as a believer. The first of these is “bowels of mercies.” These are not words we would use and is better translated, compassion of mercies. We are to have a heart of mercy toward others. We have been given mercy by God extending forgiveness to us through His Son, and we are in turn extend mercy to others. When it comes to our relationship with God we do not want justice, we want mercy. This is an example of how we should treat others who have done wrong.
Second on the list is kindness. This is the act of being kind, showing a friendly, generous considerate nature. When we become a Christian, the Holy Spirit working in us should produce a politeness seen as kindness. The Holy Spirit does not produce a crabby sour attitude. When this is our attitude, we have leaped over the Holy Spirit into the flesh. We should have a desire to make others happy. When we are seeking to serve Christ, we will have no problem serving others. Our desire to please Him will override our desire to please the flesh. Christians should be the kindest people on earth. When we are the opposite we are only thinking of self. Selfishness is at the root of all sin. We are committed to our own happiness above everything else, and when that is violated we become defensive and sour.
Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
A Christian should not be kind just because he is supposed to, he is kind because he is allowing God to work through him. He has a greater view of life than what is going on at the moment. When we humbly submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ and climb off of the throne of our lives, following the command to be kind will not be hard. We need to remember that all we do is to be done for God’s glory and as unto Him. This will keep things in perspective.
Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
I Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Excellent