12. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
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.
In Christ we have been given a new nature that allows us to respond differently than being controlled by our old and sinful nature. We were sinners before Christ came into our lives. Now we are saints who struggle with sinful habits. Sinfulness is our old nature, but now we have the Spirit of Christ dwelling within and new things begin to take over.
Paul's uses the clothes analogy when he says, "put on Jesus Christ." The fact that we are bearing the name of Jesus Christ, also means that we want to live in a manner that honors the name we possess, “Christian”. What we believe affects what we do. We have been given a new nature, so now we are to wear new clothing in keeping with our position in Jesus.
Notice three things mentioned that came from God. We are chosen, we are made holy, and we are dearly loved. First, we have been chosen by God. We are handpicked as one of His favorites. God didn't wait for us to take the first step toward Him. He took the first step toward us. He is for us. He loves, cares, listens, and accepts us, but He cares more about us than to want us to stay that way we are. To develop a walk with the Lord will require some changes.
He made us holy. We are made whole by the blood of Jesus Christ, not because of our good works. We are different people because our sins are gone. God looks upon us as He looked upon His sinless Son. We are made right because of His actions. From the beginning of time, God chose a people to demonstrate His glory.
The Jewish nation became a special nation to show us God. Why did He choose them? Was it because of obedience? No. We see that clearly in the Old Testament, they were often rebellious and hardheaded. Did He choose them because they were better than their neighbors? Hardly! Sometimes the neighbors acted with more compassion.
God chose them and us because of His love. We are dearly loved. You and I were chosen by God. God's Spirit spoke to your heart and convinced you of your sin, your need for Himself
Did you ever wonder where you would be if you did not know the Lord today?
Application: The world we live in needs to see Jesus in us. We need to wear the new clothes we have been given. We need today to let Jesus shine in the words we use and, in the actions, and activities before us.
Prayer: Lord, as I am clothed in Jesus Christ, may all I do, whether in word or deed be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
*****************************
If you wish to get the fuller version of this daily devotion, send a request via email to pastordale@outlook.com
