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Colossians 3:12-17
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Paul opens his exhortation to the Colossians with words that set the foundation for everything that follows: "As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."
Before we can understand what Paul is asking us to do, we must first understand who we are. We are God's chosen people—not chosen because we are better than anyone else or possess particular qualities, but because God freely and graciously chooses us. We are called to be holy, to be set apart and distinct, living distinctly for God. And God does all of this because God loves us. These three truths—chosen, holy, loved—must sink deep into our hearts, or else the rest of this passage will sound like a demanding to-do list rather than a liberating gift.
Clothing serves as a powerful metaphor throughout this passage. When we observe people in special uniforms—a surgeon entering an operating theater, a police officer on duty, a graduate in academic robes—we expect integrity. We expect the clothing to match the character and qualifications of the person wearing it.
But Paul's use of clothing works differently. These virtues—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience—are not natural to us. They are gifts from God. We "put them on" like clothing, yet we remain who we are. The calling to patience does not mean we all express patience identically. You will be patient in your own way; I will be patient in mine. Our personalities, gifts, and relationships are not erased; rather, they are clothed and shaped by these characteristics.
These virtues are not arbitrary. They echo the character of God himself. God's chosen people are set apart not simply to be any sort of people, but to reflect God's character and goodness in the world. The compassion, kindness, and humility Paul calls us to embody are the very nature of the God who calls us and loves us.
Yet Paul seems to harbor a suspicion—one confirmed by our experience—that we will not always be patient or humble. He therefore calls us to "bear with each other and forgive one another."
Forgiveness is not about pretending nothing happened or that the hurt doesn't matter. Sin is terrible; it is destructive and dehumanizing. When we find ourselves truly needing to forgive, it is serious and difficult work. But here is the hope: forgiveness itself is a God-shaped thing. It is only as God forgives us that we are free and enabled to forgive each other. We are called by a God who forgives us, and it is in that forgiving power that we clothe ourselves with patience and kindness, enabling us to forgive others.
Paul then shifts focus to Christ specifically. He encourages us to let "the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" and let "the message of Christ dwell among you richly."
Consider a football team: when the players let the wisdom of the coach and the character of the captain shape their play, they maintain their shape and strategy. They work hard, but they do so within a coherent plan. Similarly, we are called to let the wisdom and peace of Christ shape our individual lives and our lives together—in our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, and churches. The peace of Christ is not passivity; it is purposeful living under Christ's direction.
This brings us to Paul's confident closing: "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
That phrase—whatever you do—is gloriously broad. It encompasses every vocation and calling. Whether you are entering a legal profession, pursuing medicine, beginning a graduate program, searching for your next role, managing a household, caring for family members, nurturing friendships, or serving in any capacity, there is a Jesus-shaped way of doing it.
Even uncertainty about your future can be approached with the wisdom of Christ, trusting in his guidance. Everything we do—every word, every deed—can be done in Jesus' name and by the help of his Spirit.
Finally, Paul emphasizes gratitude. It appears three times in our passage: "be thankful," "singing to God with gratitude in your hearts," and "giving thanks to God the Father."
We are called to be clothed in God's characteristics, yet we remain ourselves. God is asking each of us to do something distinct and personal. For that calling—for our uniqueness, our gifts, our particular path—we can and should give thanks. This thankfulness should bubble up and shape how we relate to each other, how we worship God, and how we care for one another.
