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

The hungryThe thirstyThe stranger The nakedThe sickThose in prison The needyIn Matthew 25 Jesus tells us to take care of 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.'' We should have compassion on those have wronged us. Our first thought is to retaliate. A little common courtesy never hurt anyone. Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted

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 judgeHate the sin, love the sinner. Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For the Christian this should not be so.

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.

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. 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. Jesus showed what true humility really is. He always referred to Himself as the Son of man.

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

Meekness A lot of people think that meekness is weakness. Meekness is being mild and patient even when being mistreated and provoked. Meekness is also having the courage to stand for what is right and not backing down. The meek person believes the will of God is the supreme good. Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Longsuffering Other versions translate this word as patience. Webster’s says it is “long and patient endurance.” As Christians we need patience. With othersWith situationsWith ourselves. We need patience as we wait for the Lord’s return. This will help us stay faithful to the Lord. Steadfastness and endurance is a key to patience. We are commanded to have these two characteristics in our lives.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. I Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.

Forgiveness Forgiveness is not optionalIt is a command. Colossians 3:13 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. Christ forgave those who put Him on the cross. Surely we can forgive those who wrong us. Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” In Matthew 18 Jesus tells a parable to show the importance of forgiveness. We must forgive to be forgiven.

Colossians 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Love You can haveKindnessCompassionHumility MeeknessLongsufferingForgiveness But if you do not have love they do you no good. I Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

What is love? LOVE IS THE THEME OF THE BIBLE! I Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends; It is love that caused God to make us in His own image. It is love that causes Him to care for us. It is because of love He sent His only begotten Son to die for us.

Romans 5:6-10 While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man--though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. GOD LOVES YOU!

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO HIS LOVE?

Given by David Hamlin on am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ