New Self (Col. 3:12-14)

Put On

As believers in Jesus Christ there are certain character qualities that we mus put on. These are things that we are responsible for.

Compassion - sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. This is what James talks about when he speaks about faith and action. James 2:15-17

James 2:15–17 (NASB95)

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

To have compassion on someone is to understand there need and meet it to the best of your ability.

Kindness - the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Hebrews 13:2

Hebrews 13:2 NASB95

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

We are to be kind to all people. We must see them as created in God’s image and treat them accordingly.

Humility - a modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness. Rom. 12:3

Romans 12:3 NASB95

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

We should see ourselves in what Christ has done for us rather than what we have done. Often we think highly of ourselves because of our accomplishments. These are short lived and have no value. What Christ has done for us is everlasting and is of utmost importance.

Gentleness - the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. James 1:19-20

James 1:19–20 (NASB95)

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

To be gentle we should do more listening than speaking. We are not to let others anger us, but instead we are to control our anger. We should be self-controlled when dealing with contentious situation and people.

Patience - the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. Patience is similar to gentleness. Prov. 19:11

Proverbs 19:11 (NASB95)

A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

This is the ability to move past those who hurt you and pray for them and seek reconciliation with them.

Bear With One Another

It is obvious that we will not always agree with one another 100% of the time. We may even get angry and say or do something that may be hurtful to someone. I have found that there are two predominate ways people deal with this. The first is to get angry and get revenge. We want them to experience the same amount of pain that they caused us. This is not a good solution because the satisfaction we think we will get by exacting revenge will not satisfy. Often I find that acts of revenge bring remorse instead of satisfaction.

The second way I have observed people deal with personal offenses is to not deal with them. It is easier to avoid the offense and distance yourself from that person rather than confront the offense. This is harmful because the hurt, though it is suppressed momentarily, will foster and grow. Eph. 4:26-27

Ephesians 4:26–27 (NASB95)

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.

The best way to handle hurt is to acknowledge the hurt, communicate the hurt to the offender and then forgive the offense.

Paul writes that we are to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us. This means that we never have a right to hold on to anything. We must forgive people of anything they may have done to us. I don’t want to trivialize this because I know that there are some things that people people have faced that hurt extremely deep. However, the principle is still the same. The hurt of the offense dissipates based on the level of forgiveness you give.