Transformation - Day 16

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful." - Colossians 3:12-15

What a rich image - God chose you to be the holy people he loves.

You are chosen.

You are set apart (holy) for God's use.

You are loved.

If you can embrace this identity, your life will be changed.  It speaks to both God's grace in his choosing and loving you, but also his call to not leave you in sin, but to clean you up (yesterday), make you pure and holy.

It's our relationship with Jesus Christ that provides the impetus to change.

You are chosen, holy, loved.

And since YOU ARE, clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

(Be like Jesus)

Recognize that no one is perfect so stop expecting perfection.

Forgive, not ignore, those who offend you.  Be proactive in the grace department.

Jesus forgave you.  Remember the prayer that Jesus taught you - "Forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us."  Remember Jesus said that you can't find forgiveness unless you forgive others.  Remember he told Peter "seventy times seven" when Peter asked how many times to forgive.  GET THIS!

And Paul sums it all up - clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 

All you need is love . . . But not wishy, fluffy emotional love.   This is not a Kumbaya love fest.  This is love as a verb - love in action - serving, feeding, doing the tough work of investing in others, putting the interests of others above you own (THIS is NOT easy).

Time to get a VW van, buy some tie-dye tshirts . . . .?

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. 

Oh and by the way, always be thankful.

So where does God want you to start? Don't loss over this question.  Remember to replace a bad habit with a good one.  Learn to delight in making others better, in giving the compliment, holding the door, saying thank you and please, being a good listener, playing with the kids on the floor . . .

The Beatles can sing about IT, but remember where love comes from and that it's a VERB.