“Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy” (Col. 3:12 AMP).
Dress as though God sent you into this world to represent Him. This scripture is not talking about Saint Laurent either. Paul uses clothing as an illustration to show us that we can “put these behaviors on” like we can “put clothes on.”
Put on the clothing of tenderhearted mercy and pity. We are given these instructions because we are sure to encounter people who are difficult to love. But the Word tells us how to deal with them. We should have tenderhearted mercy toward them.
Generally people are like that because they’re very unhappy. And if they don’t know the Lord, or if He’s not first place in their life, they can’t help but be unhappy. Their material wealth won’t make them happy. That fulfillment only comes from them making Jesus Lord of their life.
You can have lots of money and be very unhappy. I know people who are very wealthy and are quite unhappy. I know a wealthy individual who has millions…he has it all – materially speaking. It must be nice to be able to take six months off and just get on your yacht and cruise the world.
But people can do those things and can’t find fulfillment. This particular gentleman says, “I’ve got all this money, all these homes, all this stuff, and I ought to be fulfilled. But I’m not.” A mutual friend of ours shared a bit of the blessings Jesus offers, because this man’s answer to fulfillment is Jesus.
The point I’m making, is that one might think, “If I only had this, if only this was working for me, then everything would be all right.” Not necessarily. Sometimes you get exactly what you pray for, and you find out it’s not what you thought.
People try all kinds of things hoping for lasting joy and fulfillment. The only thing that’ll make you happy is the love of God. Knowing that God loves you, and allowing His love to flow through you onto others is fulfillment.
Being free to be merciful toward someone else is wearing the clothes that God gave you. And wearing God’s clothes makes you sharper and better looking that anyone in a designer suit any day. And He gives you an everlasting peace that no outside source can give you.
Scripture References: 1 Peter 5:5; Ephesians 4:32
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).