It's All About Being Attractive, Right?
13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:13-14
In Colossians 3:10 & 12 (Blog post last week, What Are You Wearing?) Paul describes the attire of a Jesus follower. Using the analogy of how we clothe ourselves, Paul suggests that in the same way we are intentional about covering our bodies appropriately we should be as intentional about putting on attitudes that will drive our behaviors as we encounter one another. He begins with these five: mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. When we look at that combination of qualities, it is really quite an attractive outfit, don’t you think?
But he doesn’t stop there. In addition we are to overlook the quirky, petty little annoyances in others that drive us crazy. The silly habits and nuisance kinds of behaviors that we grab onto and can’t seem to let go of. Like the way someone overuses “um” when they speak or the person who frequently interrupts or that person who is always late. Not sinful, just annoying. Can we make allowance? Can we offer grace? When you think about it, that’s kind of attractive too, isn’t it?
And forgiveness. It’s interesting how quickly Paul moves from a relatively easy adjustment of making allowances for quirkiness to forgiveness. It seems like kind of a big jump. But not for Paul. It is all equally as important and continues the idea of our intentional “putting on” a presence that is noticeable and attractive. Forgiveness is not just an act or a decision it is an attitude, a perspective. I heard someone say once that forgiveness is not a one-time decision you make, it’s an address where you live. Like the previous qualities, we need to dress ourselves everyday so they are continuous qualities we exhibit. And above all, the most obvious and pervasive should be love.
Paul’s instruction to us is to put on a new nature, to clothe ourselves differently than those around us. In this way we will be attractive and draw attention, not because of outward appearances but because of how we treat people. It matters. People take notice. This attractiveness is not for our benefit but to draw attention to the One who chose us and loves us and calls us to draw attention to him and his love for all.
For the next 24 hours, intentionally put on mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Overlook the quirks in others, put on forgiveness as your new method of operation and overall, love.
After 24 hours – what (or who) was most challenging? Why?
As a result of what you noticed over the past 24 hours, what will you do tomorrow to be more attractive?
In Colossians 3:10 & 12 (Blog post last week, What Are You Wearing?) Paul describes the attire of a Jesus follower. Using the analogy of how we clothe ourselves, Paul suggests that in the same way we are intentional about covering our bodies appropriately we should be as intentional about putting on attitudes that will drive our behaviors as we encounter one another. He begins with these five: mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. When we look at that combination of qualities, it is really quite an attractive outfit, don’t you think?
But he doesn’t stop there. In addition we are to overlook the quirky, petty little annoyances in others that drive us crazy. The silly habits and nuisance kinds of behaviors that we grab onto and can’t seem to let go of. Like the way someone overuses “um” when they speak or the person who frequently interrupts or that person who is always late. Not sinful, just annoying. Can we make allowance? Can we offer grace? When you think about it, that’s kind of attractive too, isn’t it?
And forgiveness. It’s interesting how quickly Paul moves from a relatively easy adjustment of making allowances for quirkiness to forgiveness. It seems like kind of a big jump. But not for Paul. It is all equally as important and continues the idea of our intentional “putting on” a presence that is noticeable and attractive. Forgiveness is not just an act or a decision it is an attitude, a perspective. I heard someone say once that forgiveness is not a one-time decision you make, it’s an address where you live. Like the previous qualities, we need to dress ourselves everyday so they are continuous qualities we exhibit. And above all, the most obvious and pervasive should be love.
Paul’s instruction to us is to put on a new nature, to clothe ourselves differently than those around us. In this way we will be attractive and draw attention, not because of outward appearances but because of how we treat people. It matters. People take notice. This attractiveness is not for our benefit but to draw attention to the One who chose us and loves us and calls us to draw attention to him and his love for all.
For the next 24 hours, intentionally put on mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Overlook the quirks in others, put on forgiveness as your new method of operation and overall, love.
After 24 hours – what (or who) was most challenging? Why?
As a result of what you noticed over the past 24 hours, what will you do tomorrow to be more attractive?
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