Remember Who You Are

Opening Thought

Sunday we were reminded that Paul doesn't simply tell followers of Jesus what to believe. He shows us how our new life in Christ should affect the way we treat other people.

Paul begins with our identity:

"God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved..." - Colossians 3:12

Before Paul tells us what to put on, he reminds us who we are. We are loved by Jesus.

And people who know they are loved by Jesus should increasingly love like Jesus.

BELIEVE - Remember Who You Are

Paul tells us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Then he gets even more practical:

"Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13

Think about that for a moment.

How many times has the Lord forgiven you?

His grace toward us becomes the model for our grace toward others. We don't forgive because someone deserves it.

We forgive because we remember how much we have been forgiven.

And then Paul says:

"Over all these virtues put on love..." - Colossians 3:14

Love is what holds it all together.

PRAY - Jesus, Change the Way I Treat People

It's easy to read compassion, kindness, patience, forgiveness, and love and think: I need to do better. But following Jesus is more than trying harder.

We need Jesus to change our hearts.

So take a moment and pray:

“Jesus, thank You that I am chosen, holy, and dearly loved. Show me where my relationships aren't reflecting Your love. Help me forgive as You have forgiven me. Give me compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience toward the people You place in my life. Amen.”

And then ask:

Is there someone I'm having difficulty treating the way Jesus has treated me?

Don't rush past the person who comes to mind.

DO - Who Can I Treat More Like Jesus?

Following Jesus happens with real people in our everyday lives. So this week, ask:

Who can I treat more like Jesus?

• My family - Who needs more patience, kindness, or forgiveness from me?
• My friends - Who needs encouragement, compassion, or someone willing to listen?
• My coworkers - How could my words, attitude, or response to frustration reflect Jesus?
• My neighbors - Who could I intentionally notice, encourage, help, or serve?
• A stranger - Who might God place in my path who simply needs to experience kindness and dignity?

You don't need to do something for everyone.

Ask God to put one person on your heart.

Then intentionally choose to treat that person more like Jesus this week. That's where the opportunity to SHARE Jesus often begins, with a follower of Jesus bringing the character of Jesus into the ordinary relationships of everyday life.

We have been loved.

We have been forgiven.

So let's take that love and forgiveness into our world.

Who can I treat more like Jesus this week?

Sharing Jesus in our world...as we strive to be a good neighbor.

Pastor Mark