Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 8: Compassion”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
What clothes did you put on this morning?
Perhaps its casual Friday. Perhaps you have an important meeting so you dressed up a bit more. Perhaps it’s a day off so the grubbies came on…or it’s a PJ day!
What we put on is how we present ourselves to the outside world. While the external appearance isn’t always indicative of the person inside the clothes, hopefully that matches more than it doesn’t!
As Christians, God calls us to be consistent. What we “wear” on the outside is who we are on the inside.
The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
The fact is that we each are recipients of God’s tremendous compassion and love. With that inside of us, God’s Spirit encourages us, “Wear it on the outside!”
Clothe yourselves with compassion. Literally it says a “gut of mercy.” This the inner feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
Clothe yourselves with kindness. This is the response of good that comes from a heart that has been touched by the mercy and grace of God. It desires to do good to all.
Clothe yourselves with humility. Be willing to put the interests of others above your own. This is the heart that is willing to serve others; there is no task that is too menial.
Clothe yourselves with gentleness. Show up as a friend. Let go of arrogance and show up with a demeanor that shows respect and interest in all.
Clothe yourselves with patience. Be willing to go the distance with someone who needs you by their side. Be slow to get angry and quick to aid and instruct.
This is quite a “closet full” of clothes our Savior invites us to put on. These are not just humanistic virtues, but are all given and driven by the Spirit of God. It is important that we remember “as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved…” Without the work of God’s love, mercy and compassion in our hearts, there is no way we can wear the clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
So what will you put on today?
It’s easy for our sinful nature to discourage us and say, “Mike if you put these things on, you will be taken advantage of, be seen as a pushover, and never get done what you need to get done. Someone else can show up today in those clothes.
For this I repent. For this we repent. Satan loves to move us to the part of the closet that puts on pride, selfishness, heartlessness, impatience and the like. Why don’t we just throw those clothes out in the trash! They stink and look awful anyway.
Rather clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. You’ll look amazing, reflect God’s love tremendously, and make a difference in the lives of others.
Apply: Try mentally “clothing” yourself today with these attributes…or just start with one. At the end of the day, see how it impacted your day and someone else’s day.
PRAYER: Lord thank you for the compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience you have shown to me. Let this gift of compassion shown to me move me to clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience each and every day! AMEN