January 8, 2014
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another , and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as The Lord forgave you, so also should you.” Colossians 3:12-13 New American Standard
Almost everyone has an article of clothing: sweater .. shirt .. or piece of clothing that just fits you in such a way that it lets you breathe .. let go .. and relax. God wants to “clothe” you in jus the same way with all of his favorite things: compassion .. kindness .. humility .. gentleness, and patience. He wants to “clothe” you in such a way that you find yourself forging a way of forgiveness with others that is formed out of the very forgiveness you share and live with Jesus. You quickly discover that wearing God’s favorites is impossible without His Spirit. It is all about Christ making real in you everything that is real about Him. Jesus points out the obvious of our heavenly Father’s care. He loves to clothe his creation. And how much more does he want to clothe you? How easy it is to start into today without God’s favorite clothing. He is easily taken for granted when all The Lord wants to do in your life is clothe you in love. Not just any love .. but a “just as The Lord forgave you” love. It’s this kind of love that lets you breathe .. let .. and relax. It’s this kind of love that Jesus came to bring into your life. “Holy and beloved” … that’s you he is talking about. Have you taken the time to really get dressed today…? It only takes a moment …
“For if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you…? Matt. 6:30 New American Standard
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Off-the-Rack saints following Jesus and friends of Priority One (kchesterp1@gmail.com)
