Devotion: Colossians 3:12

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

We begin a new month with a familiar verse that has been covered in previous devotions. But this time we look at the verse with the emphasis on patience, our theme for the month.  Patience in the Bible is a fruit of the Spirit and is mentioned many other times, as in today’s verse where we look at it as one of the virtues we clothe ourselves with.

Patience is a virtue that we choose to clothe ourselves with. We choose daily to put on patience as we do all of the other virtues listed in the verse. We choose to endure things under trial or to offer forbearance and not react emotionally or improperly towards others. Though we may wish to respond differently, we choose to be self-controlled and put on an attitude of patience or assume a patient demeanor.

I have always considered myself to be a patient person and can endure quite a lot before I reach my breaking point – except when it comes to my daughter. God teaches me new things about being patient each day when it comes to my youngest and I spend much of my time considering this verse. I consciously have to remind myself to put on patience, to choose to respond with this virtue rather than responding emotionally.

As believers we must remember that we have been instructed by Paul to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and last of all, patience. Each of these virtues holds its own weight and has importance, but are also not independent of one another. They combine to make us the people we are, God’s chosen people.

And we need to remember that we are His ambassadors in this world and represent His chosen people, so need to act accordingly. Let us remember to clothe ourselves with each virtue listed in this verse and extend patience to those we interact with today and everyday.

Prayer: Lord, Thank You for reminding me that I need to be patient with others. Help me to show them love and patience each day. Amen 

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