Clothed in Christ

Blank line above; now hear it. Earlier in this letter I told you to put off the old self and put on the new (Colossians 3:9-10). Here I hand you the garments themselves — but notice first who is being dressed: "as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved" (Colossians 3:12). I do not command you to earn these names by what follows. You already wear them, given in Christ. Chosen, set apart, loved — that is the skin beneath the clothing. Only a soul that knows itself beloved can afford to be this gentle.

And gentle is the whole wardrobe: "compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience" (Colossians 3:12). These are not grand deeds but the daily texture of living with people who will disappoint you — "bearing with one another, and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other" (Colossians 3:13). Mark the measure I give: "as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive" (Colossians 3:13). Not as they deserve, but as you have been treated at Calvary. The one who has drunk deep of mercy has no ground left to withhold it. Over all of it, "put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony" (Colossians 3:14) — the belt that holds every other garment in place, without which the rest falls open.

Then two things to govern the inner life. Let "the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15) — let it arbitrate, settle the quarrels within you and among you, "to which indeed you were called in one body." And let "the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Colossians 3:16) — not visiting, but living there at home, so full that it overflows in teaching and admonishing and singing. Do you see how twice, even three times, I return to thankfulness? "Be thankful" (Colossians 3:15). "With thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16). It is the air the new self breathes.

So bring it home to this ordinary day: "whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17). There is no corner too small for this — the word you speak in weariness, the work no one sees, the forgiveness that costs you. Do it under his name and through him give thanks, and the plainest hour is made holy. Grace and peace to you.