Being the Church #42

It's interesting to see the variety of ways Paul wrote something similar to different churches. Colossians 3:
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 

This is what God has chosen us for, called us out to do: live in a loving way towards one another. We are to demonstrate the same characteristics Christ has demonstrated toward us: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, with a strong emphasis on forgiveness - three times he repeats that word. What God is looking for is harmonious living; that is what stands out in the crowd and calmly yells Christlikeness.  What a different attitude and atmosphere than we see all around us today: people who love and care for one another in a quiet yet powerful way.  May God see more of that from us today.