Clothed in Kindness
(NIV) 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And 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.
I have always loved the image of clothing ourselves in righteousness. Isaiah said in Chapter 64 that our righteousness is as filthy rags. So, for years I have talked about putting on the cloak of righteousness which is just a visual reminder that we need Christ every day.
Paul says we should clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. These characteristics are strikingly similar to the fruits of the Spirit which become manifest in us the longer we walk with God. After years of being a Christ follower, I have recognized that few of these qualities are inherent in me. Therefore, I must go before God daily to ask for a fresh anointing by the Holy Spirit.
Why daily? Because just as God provided the Hebrews who wandered in the desert for forty years daily manna, and just as Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread, we must learn to rely upon Jesus daily. I do not wait until my gas tank is almost empty to get more fuel. Likewise, I do not wait until my spiritual tank is on empty to approach the throne of God.
May we each begin our day with “just a closer walk” with Jesus, reading Scripture, perhaps singing a song of praise, living in peace and thanksgiving. And may we take the name of Jesus with us, sharing Him with all we meet.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Seeking Holiness 