Have you thought about what results in success? It does not come haphazardly in the lives of God’s children. Consider how beautifully God clothes the grass of the field! It would grace the field today and be gone tomorrow. Why then would the crown jewel of His creation have little faith? The Lord knows what we need. “Trust in Him and do good…” (Psalm 37:3a). “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). Verse 31 instructs us to not worry about what we are going to eat, drink, or wear. Therefore, children of God have no reason to worry about their success.

Yes, the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these material things too. Since our heavenly Father knows that we need them, we have no need to worry (v.32). Matthew gives us a most important path to success as commanded by God. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” As our provider, He promises “all these things will be added to you” (v.33). 

“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (v.34). Thanks be to God we have no need to worry today about what tomorrow will bring. Whatever trouble we must deal with daily, trust God to see you through regardless of the outcome. Keep eagerly hunting the kingdom of God and righteous living, and He will direct your paths to success. Do you receive it today? If so, clap your hands and shout, “Glory!”

 

 

 

In Colossians 3:13

Paul continued exhorting God’s elect to clothe themselves for Christian living. Put on endurance or self-restraint– “bearing graciously with one another;” this is how God has dealt with us. Because of His great love for us, He sent His Son Jesus to die for us while we were yet sinners. As God’s chosen people, we are commanded to willingly forgive each other if we have a complaint against another. We were once wrapped up, tied up, and tangled up in all manner of fleshly behaviors, fulfilling the lusts of our flesh. “Just as the Lord has forgiven us, so should we forgive.” The Father forgives us of our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

We have put off the old man; no longer can we live according to our former corrupt nature. We have put on the new man, “created to be like God in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph.4:24, NIV). As God’s chosen, we are commanded to put on Christian characteristics to reflect our new self in Christ Jesus. They are tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another. Paul stated lastly that above all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfection (v.14). Jesus told His disciples to love one another as He have loved them so all will know they are His disciples (John 13:34-35, paraphrased). It is love that completely unites the virtues of Christianity so that we might manifest Christ Jesus in our lives.

Give God glory!

Colossians 3:12-13a

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As kingdom builders, we are set apart for God’s purpose; therefore, we are commanded to walk worthy of our calling into His kingdom and glory (1Thess. 2:12). God deserves our loyalty and commanded that we have no other gods before Him. Therefore, set your minds on heavenly things, where Christ is. If our affection is on treasures we have stored up on earth, Scripture says that our hearts will be there also. In Colossians 3:12-13a Paul continued encouraging the church to “put on” Christian traits. He told them to put on meekness and longsuffering. 

In meekness we are to conduct ourselves with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2). It begins within us when we surrender our self-righteousness to God and humbly accept His will. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart…” (Matt. 11:29). We put up with others because God puts up with us. Yes, Believers, bear with one another in love. Jesus said to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. “So, let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Gal. 6:9, NLT). Trust the Lord, knowing that He is your strength. He gives you the power to walk in tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness and longsuffering. Give God a hand clap of praise and shout, “Hallelujah!” 

Colossians 3:12, NKJV

We are God’s elect, holy and beloved. He has called us and set us apart for His purpose. Therefore, we are commanded to put off our disobedient, onery ways of the flesh, and walk in His ways. We must clothe ourselves in a manner that honors Christ. He is the One who died on the cross for our sins so that we might live for righteousness. Paul encouraged believers in verse 12 to “put on” a series of Christian traits. These traits show that you have been “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2b). 

Put on tender mercies and kindness; that is, put on a heart of compassion (AMP) and goodness. Stop and think about it. Whose lovingkindness and tender mercies have given us existence? It was God’s. Who loved us so that while we were still sinners sent His only begotten Son to die for us, granting us eternal life if we believe in Him? God did. Jesus is the ultimate example of humility; He showed us how not to be selfish but humble believers. If you are selfish, that’s the old man. The new, redeemed man is commanded to not do anything through selfish ambition or conceit but clothe themselves with humility and consider others better than yourself (Philippians 2:3). So, the next time you decide to give someone a piece of your mind, remember, you have faults too, and others don’t know about them. Conduct yourself today as a child of the King – holy and beloved. Give God a hand clap and shout, “Hallelujah!” 

 

Colossians 3:10-14, NKJV

Paul continues to encourage the Colossians to live so that their lives will reflect that they are risen with Christ. They have put off the old man and put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him (v.10). Because they are renewed in the spirit of their mind, believers are to always present themselves as the righteous and the true holy. God does not show partiality; therefore, His chosen people, His church, which is under the headship of Christ, must not show partiality due to differences in race, nationality, sex, belief, community, socio-economic status, and so on. “… Christ is all and in all;” (v.11b), and nothing else is above Him.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering (v.12); bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do (v.13). But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (v.14).

Today, remember this, Elect of God. According to Scripture, you are God’s chosen people. One day you made a conscious decision to live in righteousness and true holiness after the likeness of Christ. So, accept the charge to obey the series of commands set forth in verses 12-14 and live holy. Hallelujah! Give God glory!