Colossians 3:12-13
“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.”
Many times I have heard people pray to become more like Christ … and then immediately begin to tear into those around them. The words of their prayer must be offensive to the Lord as He calls us to be like Him.
How many of these attributes would describe the way you behave: TENDER HEARTED? MERCIFUL? HUMBLE? MEEK? PATIENT? WILLING TO PUT UP WITH OTHERS? FORGIVING?
(Is it getting quiet in here?)
If we truly want to be like Christ, we need to behave as Believers ought to behave. That means treating others in the same manner we would like for them to treat us. It does not mean that we deserve it or that they deserve it, but just as we need it so do they need our compassion.
We all have a long way to go in having a Christ-like spirit, but we begin by trying to see ourselves and others the way Christ sees us — fallen sinners who are in need of love and forgiveness. BE THAT FOR OTHERS AND IT WILL RETURN TO YOU!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil