Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV) 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness

Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV) 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

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.

1. A new life of love is generated by God’s love through Christ… not simply our own nature.

Dallas Willard - “To be lost means to be out of place,

to be omitted. Something that is lost is something

that is not where it is supposed to be and therefore

it is not integrated into the life of the one to whom it belongs and to whom it is lost.”

God chose and set us apart… God loves us… God has forgiven us…

2. A new life of love is embodied as we re-orient our nature to that of God’s disposition of love towards others

• Compassion – allowing oneself to feel for another

“When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

- Matthew 9:36


• Kindness – love in action; expressing to others their value



• Humility – not a low view of ourselves, but loving others before ourself.



• Humility – not a low view of ourselves, but loving others before ourself.

• Gentleness – not weakness, but the power to make our force positive

• Patience – suffer with the weaknesses of another; able to overcome destructive reactions

• Patience – suffer with the weaknesses of another; able to overcome destructive reactions

• Love – to live in service to the God-given value of others

God is love. Through the power of His forgiving love which bears our shame… we can enter and be re-oriented by His nature of love… as it displaces the opposite… which is the lust and contempt that defiles, degrades and destroys.

Verse 13 – ‘Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.’

3. A new life of love is cultivated and captured in the interaction of Christ-centered community.

Let the PEACE of Christ rule your hearts (‘arbitrate your relationships’) – because we are united as one body


This new life is revealed through being UNITED in Christ.


This new life is revealed through being UNITED in Christ.

Am I honoring the unity and peace of Christ in his community?

Let the WORD of Christ dwell – as you encourage each other in words and worship.


This new life is revealed through being SHAPED by Christ.


This new life is revealed through being SHAPED by Christ.

Am I allowing the life and teaching of Christ to form my inner life through fellow followers and worshipers?

Let the NAME of Christ be represented in all we do as we ‘do all…in the name of Christ’


This new life is revealed in LIVING FOR AND BY Christ.


This new life is revealed in LIVING FOR AND BY Christ.

Am I allowing the life and love of Christ to be ruling all that I do… in all the various roles and responsibilities of my life?

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Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV) 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness