Message Text: Colossians 3:12-14
In Colossians 3, the apostle Paul tells believers what kind of uniform we should be wearing. These Christ-like characteristics are like clothing we put on to identify us with Jesus Christ. When we wear them, it should be easy for people to spot us as part of the Lord’s army. When a soldier sees someone else wearing his uniform they automatically have a bond, a brotherhood. They belong together and they will stick together through thick and thin.
The Apostle Paul encourages us to put on the character qualities that show that we have been made new in Jesus Christ. Those qualities include:
- compassionate heart
- kindness
- humility
- meekness
- patience
- bearing with each other
- forgiveness
And finally the unifying characteristic that binds all of these together – love. Love is like a sash, tie, or belt that binds or holds all of these articles of clothing on is love. Love is the tie that binds. It is the reason behind all of these others. It is the thing that produces unity. It is how we are identified as believers or followers of Jesus Christ.