Above all things, put on love

Col 3:12-15 “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.”  One would think this particular subject would be the most simple to incorporate…just love each other. Show genuine concern for someone other than yourself. Make sure you look out for the wellbeing of those around you. And, yet sometimes it appears to be the most difficult. At times it becomes increasingly allusive. Our society grows more and more distant from each other. Husbands and wives become disinterested with each other. Siblings grow apart; communities remain aloof one from another. The result of all this alienation makes Paul’s admonition to the folks in Colossae very difficult to emulate! Have we stopped recently to consider why human beings are so disconnected these days? In some areas of the world if you were to speak to another person, they might look at you as if you were just beamed down from another planet! I’ve received looks from others after trying to be cordial that made me ask myself why I even bothered in the first place! But, just because the world doesn’t know the concept of putting on tender mercies toward others, doesn’t mean God’s people shouldn’t know! Notice Paul addresses this admonition to God’s ELECT. Responsibility to put on tender mercies doesn’t belong to the world. It belongs to God’s people! So, the next time you’re cordial to someone and they snub you in return, don’t return their scoff. Pray for them. Pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you. (Matt. 7: 12; Matt. 5: 43-48).
 
Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you!                                            Kevin
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