A Chosen Community
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Key Verse: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.” Selected Scripture: |
THOSE WHO HAVE renounced their former lifestyles and are devoted to following Jesus are described as being “risen with Christ.” As such, they are exhorted to demonstrate this change by their actions.—Col. 3:1
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”—vss. 2-5
The biblical standard for Christian living is very searching and although certain sins may have been practiced before one’s conversion, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that unrighteous conduct persisted in will debar such from being joint-heirs with Christ in his kingdom.—I Cor. 6:9-11
Having been redeemed at great cost by the precious blood of Christ, the Apostle Paul continues to identify several fleshly weaknesses that New Creatures in Christ must continually exercise vigilance against. These traits include anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication, and lying.—Col. 3:6-9
Not only must the old man be put off, which relates to those tendencies of an unregenerate nature associated with sins connected to the Adamic fall, but the new man, which represents the believer’s standing with God through Christ, must continue to grow in grace.—vs. 10
Our Key Verse delineates some of the characteristics that should be found among those who will be part of the elect church, and worn as a garment, including compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering.
There are additional evidences in this chapter that help us as believers to evaluate the degree to which we are becoming more Christlike. “Above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”—vss. 14,15
In this troubled and perplexing world, if we are fully consecrated to the doing of the Heavenly Father’s will, we shall enjoy the peace of God that will rule in our hearts and relieve us of anxiety because of the assurance that all of our endeavors will be directed and supervised in accordance with our highest spiritual welfare. We should also manifest a thankful heart because of our special relationship as sons of God. (I John 3:2) As we mature in our spirituality, thankfulness should ever be on the increase in our lives despite outward circumstances or trials of any nature, and it will be evidence that we are developing the type of characters that our Creator desires. Thankfulness will enable us to render praise to the Almighty, not only for what has been done for us in our lives, but also for the blessings that will accrue to the human family when the kingdom of righteousness commences.—vs. 15
“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”—Ps. 103:1