“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”(Colossians 3:12)
Yesterday, I was outside with my son looking at a flowering bush. We were studying the differences between the old and new leaves, the buds and flowers. All around us, things are being renewed for another year.
Renewal is a common theme in the Bible. The renewal of hearts, lands, relationships, and faith. God is all about cleansing of the old and sinful, and replacing it with something fresh and beautiful.
As Christians, we too are a part of that renewal. As we shed away past sins and take off the weights of worldly expectation and wisdom, we clothe ourselves in a more Christ-like way.
Not in a robe and sandals, but in the fabric of His love. We wrap ourselves in His wisdom and adorn ourselves with His Spirit.
These aren’t clothes that we wear once a week, our spiritual “Sunday best.” This is a more permanent outfit, and one that we should work to always have on.
Clothe yourself in kindness
Kindness is perhaps one of the easiest Fruits of the Spirit to remember and practice. But for a simple concept, we certainly leave it by the wayside often enough.
God calls us to clothe ourselves in kindness, to wrap it around us and make it a permanent part of our lives. To listen to the stirrings of the Holy Spirit who calls to us to Be Kind.
When we are irritated. Feeling judgmental. Looking at ourselves in the mirror.
Be. Kind.
Surround yourself with God’s kindness and live and breathe it throughout the day. Put aside the worldly wisdom of “you do you” or that which tells us how to look or behave. Ignore the expectation that we should treat a certain group of people in one way or another.
Be kind as God is kind. Not just in random acts of kindness, but in daily life. Each day, God renews us. We are washed clean of our sins and offered the fresh clothing of His love.
Put them on, wear them always, and go out there and show kindness to a world that so desperately needs it.
Have a blessed Monday!
Looking for more encouragement and inspiration? Try these posts:
Inspirational Monday: Doing New Things
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