PUTTING ON CHRISTIAN CHARACTERISTICS COLOSSIANS 3:12-14

Tender Mercy And Kindness These two characteristics are attributes of both God and Christ. II Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, New American Standard uses the word compassion. Think of how many people Jesus had compassion on. Healed the sick Gave sight to the blind Raised the dead Did not condemn the woman caught in the act of adultery. As God’s elect, we also must add these two attributes to our lives. We should have compassion on

In Matthew 25 Jesus tells us to take care of The needy In Matthew 25 Jesus tells us to take care of The hungry The thirsty The stranger The naked The sick Those in prison We should follow the example of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:36-37 "So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?'' And he said, "He who showed mercy on him.'' Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise.'' Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted A little common courtesy never hurt anyone. We should have compassion on those have wronged us. Our first thought is to retaliate.

For the Christian this should not be so. Romans 12:19-21 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,'' says the Lord. Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. The sinner We are often too quick to condemn. John 8:7 "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.'' We are not the judge Hate the sin, love the sinner. Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice.

God has always opposed the proud. Humility God has always opposed the proud. The pride of life is part of the world and Christians are not to be conformed to this world. I Peter 5:5-6 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'' Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Jesus showed what true humility really is. Proverbs 6:16-17 These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Jesus showed what true humility really is. He always referred to Himself as the Son of man. Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

ARE YOU WILLING TO HUMBLE YOURSELF AND BECOME OBEDIENT UNTO HIM? DO YOU HAVE THE MIND OF THE LORD? ARE YOU WILLING TO HUMBLE YOURSELF AND BECOME OBEDIENT UNTO HIM?

Given by David Hamlin on 10-4-09 am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.org