1. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. Christian Virtues, Part 1: The Character of the Elect Colossians 3:12-14
Christians “have been raised up with Christ” - Colossians 3:1-4
We are to put to death our former evil practices and their underlying selfish motives - Colossians 3:5-9

3. The Character of the Elect Colossians 3:12-14
Our identity in Christ removes all basis for prejudice - Colossians 3:10-11
The old man is dead, but the new man lives in the same old body & mind combating old beliefs / habits

4. The Character of the Elect Colossians 3:12-14
Because the new man has come we can press on to be transformed by the renewing of our minds
Colossians 3:12-17

5. The Elect of God Colossians 3:12
The doctrine of election is well established in the Scriptures, yet rejected by certain theological systems
Proper Bible interpretation demands we recognize we are finite yet trying to understand an infinite God

6. The Elect of God Colossians 3:12
When two doctrines taught in the Bible appear to be contradictory, accept both as scriptural in the confident belief they will resolve themselves into a higher unity

7. The Elect of God Colossians 3:12
We accept the Bible for what it says, believing paradoxes will be resolved with study or in eternity
Election and human choice & responsibility are both true doctrines - resolution cannot diminish either

8. The Elect of God Colossians 3:12
Election is the expression of the eternal decree of God by which He has freely chosen according to His own grace certain human beings for salvation.

9. Man’s Choice & Responsibility
God’s call to repent:
2 Peter 3:9
Matthew 4:17; Luke 24:47
Acts 17:30

10. Man’s Choice & Responsibility
God’s offer to “whosoever” –
John 3:15-16; 11:26
Acts 10:43; 1 John 5:1
Romans 10:13

11. Man’s Choice & Responsibility
Man’s inability:
Romans 3:10-12
Ephesians 2:1-5
1 Corinthians 2:14
John 6:44

12. The Election of God
Man’s Natural State:
Isaiah 64:6
Psalm 51:5
Ephesians 2:1-4
Colossians 3:7
Titus 3:5

13. The Election of God
The basis of salvation:
God’s mercy, grace & love:
Titus 3:5
Romans 3:24
Romans 5:8

14. The Election of God
Election:
Ephesians 1:4
2 Thessalonians 2:13
1 Corinthians 1:27-28

15. The Election of God Colossians 3:12
By God’s election, we have become “holy and beloved” –
We ought to live accordingly

16. Putting on Christian Virtues Colossians 3:12
Put on: ejnduvw / enduô = as one who “sinks into a garment” - put on, be clothed with
Just as we can be identified by our clothes, so the new man should be identified by his holy character

17. Compassion
Compassion (splavgcna oijktirmou / splagchna oiktirmou) - “bowels of compassion”
“Bowels” - were considered the seat of emotion
We are moved emotionally with pity toward those in need

18. Compassion
God is compassionate Corinthians 1:3; Romans 12:1
Jesus was compassionate - Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 15:32
We are to be compassionate John 3:17
Compassion regards the conditions of others and considers what it can do to help

19. Kindness
Kindness (crhstovth" / chrêstotês) - goodness, kindness, gentleness
The desire to do what is upright and good toward others - the opposite of malice

20. Kindness
God is kind:
General provision - Romans 2:4
Salvation - Ephesians 2:7, Titus 3:4
to Gentiles - Romans 11:22
A fruit of the spirit - Galatians 5:22. We grow in kindness as we walk in the Spirit

21. Humility
Humility (tapeinofrosuvnh / tapeinophrosunê) - being lowly of mind
The humble regard themselves rightly so as to have sound judgment (Romans 12:3)

22. Humility
Jesus is the example of humility we are to follow - Philippians 4:5f
We do not seek our own exaltation, we leave that in the Lord’s hands Peter 5:6

23. Gentleness
Gentleness (prau?th" / prautês) - meekness:
Power under control - examples:
Moses
Jesus

24. Gentleness
A fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23)
A characteristic of both Christian men (1 Tim. 6:11) & women (1 Peter 3:4)
Gentleness is polite, courteous and respectful even when rebuking and correcting - 2 Tim. 2:25; Gal. 6:1
A characteristic of one who is wise & understanding – James 3:13

25. Patience
Patience (makroqumiva / makrothumia) = “long suffering”
The self control to wait, persevere, endure without complaint - the opposite of anger, wrath and passion

26. Patience
God is patient, which should lead to repentance (Rom 2:4) and a necessity for our salvation (2 Peter 3:15)
A fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) that is to present even when reproving and rebuking (1 Tim. 4:2)

27. Bearing & Forgiving Colossians 3:13
The church will not be mature until the Lord’s return.
Bearing with one another and forgiving each apply the other virtues to difficult, irritating and even sinful people.

28. Loving Colossians 3:14
Love is the foundation and motivation for all the other characteristics of the new man

29. Conclusions
God has chosen us and made us His holy and beloved
We are to put to death our selfishness and live in loving self-sacrifice for others.
Compassion instead of contempt or indifference toward others

30. Conclusions
Kindness instead of malice
Humility instead of pride
Gentleness instead of rudeness
Patience instead of anger
Forbearing instead of wrath
Forgiveness instead of revenge

31. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ