Put On Heartfelt Compassion | Short Sermon Series

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

As followers of Christ, we are called to be set apart – to live our lives in a way that is contrary to our earthly nature and to live a life that shines the light of Christ and points others to Him. What might this look like? Paul gives us a glimpse of it in Col 3:12: we are to be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

The verb “clothe” is “enduo” in the original Greek text, and it is used to describe the action of getting dressed. Paul was intentional in using this word as he wanted to convey a very important point. Just as getting dressed in the morning requires us to put in some intentional effort to put on our clothes, putting on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience requires us to take the steps necessary to be clothed in these values. We cannot simply sit and wait for God to make us feel more compassionate or kind before we exhibit these values.

God’s closet is full of godly clothes, and our job is to get dressed. When we do so, we will discover that as we put on the actions of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, we will be transformed to fit the clothes.

So, if you want a heart that is more compassionate, go be compassionate!  Hang your feelings in the closet and walk away dressed in actions. As we clothe ourselves in obedience with the way God calls us to live, the change in our hearts and our feelings will soon follow.

In a world that is increasingly divisive, by God’s grace, may we be transformed and equipped to be His hands and feet – loving others in all things with a love that is not self-seeking, easily angered, or rude, but instead patient, kind, gentle and humble.

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