Devotional Colossians 3:12-17

Getting All Dressed Up

Text: Colossians 3:12-17

Introduction

Have you ever got “dressed up” to go somewhere? Maybe you put on your best to gather for worship King Jesus today. Maybe you were taking your spouse out for an anniversary dinner. Maybe you were going to a wedding or a graduation.

Each one of you who are believers in Christ are described as “putting off” old clothing and “putting on” clothing that has been provided to you by Jesus Himself.

We are told in Revelation that Jesus will dress us with an outer purity that has no spot or blemish. There will come a day when it wont be a struggle to keep our lives in purity for Jesus.

As we look at this, ask yourself the question, “Am I wearing clothing from the wardrobe Jesus has provided me with?”

1) Authentic Christian Clothing

VERSE 12-14

Let’s understand the “Therefore” first:

Go back to verse 10.

“Christ is all and in all” (v11)

Paul’s call to action has to do with two things:

To believers without exception.

To believer without distinction.

“Put on” (this is a summary of the Christian life)

Don’t forget (v10)

“put on” = characteristics of Jesus (v12)

Compassion (bowels of mercy)

Matthew 9:36 “36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

Matthew 14:14 “14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”

Display tender feelings toward each other.

Not something you turn off like the TV.

Kindness

Ephesians 2:7 “7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

Luke 6:35 “35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”

The only reason we have been saved is because of God’s kindness toward us through Jesus Christ.

When we get together, are we showing kindness toward others?

Ephesians 4:32 “32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Humility

Philippians 2:8 “8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

James 4:6, 10 “6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

The pagan world of Paul’s day did not admire humility. They admired pride and dominance.

Humility is have a proper estimate of oneself in God’s will.

You will think of others before yourself.

Meekness

Matthew 5:5 “5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

Galatians 6:1 “1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

Titus 3:2 “2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”

Think of it as a soothing wind, medicine, a horse broken.

Think of the power of these things: water, wind, medicine, horse.

You won’t fly off the handle, you will craft your words with the right tone and delivery, etc.

Longsuffering

2 Peter 3:9 “9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

1 Timothy 1:16 “16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”

Meaning = long-tempered

You can resist retaliating when people continually provoke you.

Should we get angry about certain things? YES. Don’t get angry quickly at the wrong things for the wrong reasons.

Bearing (forbearing)

Hebrews 9:28 “28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

Galatians 6:2 “2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Meaning to “hold up” or to “hold back”

God holds back His judgement.

Forgiving

Acts 26:18 “18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

Matthew 6:12 “12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

“Forgiving” — to forgive graciously v. — to forgive someone on account of the goodwill one has toward a person.

A life lacking forgiveness is a life that is filling up with malice that will lead to greater sins.

VERSE 14

“Put on love” = the love of Jesus

Love comes from the very nature of the Trinity.

Love is the life source of the Christian clothing.

Love is the roots which keep the fruit alive.

“bond of perfection” = connection ⇔ bond n. — a connection based on kinship or marriage or common interest understood as something that fastens various parts (as on a ship) together.

Question: Why would God think it necessary to provide us with such a bonding agent?

God’s goal is to bring you and (us) to PERFECTION.

A divided body can’t work together! (2:19)

VERSE 14-15

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: All Dressed up and Someplace to Go (Colossians 3:12–17)

When a Christian loses the peace of God, he begins to go off in directions that are out of the will of God. He turns to the things of the world and the flesh to compensate for his lack of peace within. He tries to escape, but he cannot escape himself! It is only when he confesses his sin, claims God’s forgiveness, and does God’s will that he experiences God’s peace within.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: All Dressed up and Someplace to Go (Colossians 3:12–17)

When there is peace in the heart, there will be praise on the lips: “And be ye thankful” (Col. 3:15). The Christian out of God’s will is never found giving sincere praise to God. When David covered up his sins, he lost his peace and his praise (Pss. 32; 51). When he confessed his sins, then his song returned.