Week 5
When we have worked hard outside and have gotten dirty and sweaty, there is nothing like
taking a shower and getting clean. Unless we had no other clothes to put on, we would not
dream of putting on the dirty, sweaty clothes that we just peeled off! That would feel like we
had wasted or ruined the shower that we just took.
When God loves us and washes us clean with his grace and forgiveness, we are totally clean. To intentionally return to a life of sin would be like immediately putting on our dirty, sweaty clothes. That is why Paul encourages us with these words.
When God loves us and washes us clean with his grace and forgiveness, we are totally clean. To intentionally return to a life of sin would be like immediately putting on our dirty, sweaty clothes. That is why Paul encourages us with these words.
Colossians 3:12-14 (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.
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.
Paul invites us to put on clothes that reflect God’s character and who we are striving to be. But
our own will power and hard work is not enough. We cannot wash ourselves or our own clothes.
Fortunately, when God cleanses us, he also provides the clothes to put on as well. Paul uses a
different metaphor for this, but with the same results.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Having God’s Spirit living within us will naturally produce more love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Therefore, the Holy Spirit will
cloth us with these fruits of God so that we will be able to then bear with each other, forgive, and
be bound together in unity. By God living in us through his Spirit, this way of living is possible.
We do not have to return to our old way of living. We do not have to put on the old clothes.
Yet, when our clothes do become soiled and dirty, the Father is willing to forgive and cleanse us
again and again. Come into the Father’s house to receive his love and cleansing and leave with a
set of new clothes.
Time of Prayer:
1) 1 min – What is God saying to me through this devotional?
2) 1 min – What am I going to do about it?
3) 1 min – What do I want to say to God?
4) 2 min – Listen for what God wants to say to you now.
Time of Prayer:
1) 1 min – What is God saying to me through this devotional?
2) 1 min – What am I going to do about it?
3) 1 min – What do I want to say to God?
4) 2 min – Listen for what God wants to say to you now.