Putting on the Attributes of Christ: Col 3:12-17

Col. 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

Followers of Christ are to put on the attributes of Jesus.

Col. 3:13 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.

Verse 13 unpacks the attribute of longsuffering. Bearing with one another is Christian tolerance. We aren’t only willing to endure with those things we don’t like about others but we are to forgive them when they wrong us. We do not forgive because we feel like it, but because of what we have seen in Christ. Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling.

Col. 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Love is AGAPE, which seeks the highest and best for others, considering others above his or her self.

Col. 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

In the midst of any storm we can have God’s peace, which will rule our heart rather than anger, fear or other negative emotions. He adds the key quality of being thankful.

Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

God’s Word should so fill our hearts it overflows from us in song.

Col. 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

We do what we do as the Lord Jesus’ representative, filled with a thankful heart.