June 17, 2015: SOAP #2022

Scripture: Colossians (NIV) 3:12 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.

Observation: Our clothing, being worn on the outside of our body, is what those around us can see. If we “clothe” ourselves with the above attitudes, people should be able to see them. Of course for them to be seen on the outside, they must be established in the heart. How can we develop these characteristics in our hearts? How do we learn to express them in our actions? Instead of focusing on those characteristic, we need focus only on one—on love. 1Corinthians 13 tells us that love includes all these characteristics.

Application: God knew that I would have trouble with these characteristics, even when they are simplified in love. He placed His Holy Spirit to live within me, enabling me to live like Jesus.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you know me well. You know my limitations. You know that I cannot live up to your standard on my own. I need your Holy Spirit to live in me, to guide me, to enable me to live a life of love. Amen