Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,

gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

Grave Clothes to Grace Clothes• Triple Threat:–We are His chosen – God has a

purpose.–We are holy – set apart for His

purpose.–We are dearly loved – adored

purposefully.

• Clothe Yourself / Put On–What are we being asked to do?

Wardrobe Change• Compassion• Kindness• Humility• Gentleness• Patience

• KJV – “bowels of…”

Compassion• Theoretical–Empathy to someone outside of

selfish focus.• Passive– Identify with and interact with

someone who is hurting.• Active–Assembling and expending the

resources to help them.

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he

began teaching them many things.

Mark 6:34

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we

have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet

was without sin.

Hebrews 4:15

Kindness• Theoretical–Moral goodness or “benignity.”

• Passive–Show thoughtful consideration to

others.• Active–Show thoughtful consideration to

others, even (and especially) when they don’t deserve it.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get

anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be

sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and

wicked.

Luke 6:35

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Romans 12:14

Humility• Theoretical–“a deep sense of one’s (moral)

littleness”• Passive–Not having too big of an opinion of

oneself.• Active–Wrapping a towel around your

waist and washing some dirty feet…even the ones that don’t deserve it.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the

humble."

James 4:6

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

1 Peter 5:6

Gentleness• Theoretical–Having a mildness or meekness

about you.• Passive–Encouraging others and doing no

harm to their circumstances.• Active–Exercising strength under control.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you

will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:29

gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no

law.

Galatians 5:23

Patience• Theoretical–Endurance, steadfastness,

constancy, perseverance.• Passive–Slowness in avenging wrongs.

• Active–Allowing God the room and time to

work through us to others around us.

Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you

know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally

brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James 5:10-11

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the

worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited

patience as an example for those who would believe on him and

receive eternal life.

1 Timothy 1:16

The New Equation• Forgiveness + Love = Peace

• We’re commanded to “forgive whatever grievances” we may have against one another.

• “Forgive as The Lord forgave you.” (v13)

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all

together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:14

The New Equation• Love is placed above all virtues.

• The greatest and second greatest commandments given by Jesus focus on love. (Matthew 22:36-40)–Note that these are “thou shalt”

commands

The New Equation• What does love do?–Binds all the other virtues together.–Binds them in perfect unity.

• The Peace of Christ–Let it rule your heart–We were called to peace as a

unified body in Christ. (See “love”…)

Application Questions• Which of these virtues do you lack,

and what can you do about it right now?

• Do you have the “peace of Christ?” Does it rule your heart?

• Are you thankful? For what, and for what reasons?

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