Put On Christ

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31-32

We like the pretty verse. The one which says Be kind and compassionate to one another. But we can’t be that or get there if we don’t get rid of some junk first.

Get rid of bitterness. That is a hard one because bitterness has roots. Bitterness grows malignant tentacles which squeezes the love out of our hearts and the ability to love others the way we are loved in Christ. Bitterness spreads to our intellect and our feelings and colors everything with judgment and criticism leaving no room for mercy and grace. It distorts our vision of God, and we then transfer our own opinion onto and into the space between now and the great forever instead of being ambassadors for Christ and building God’s Kingdom.

Rage and anger permeate our conversations, and we point AT and point OUT what we believe to be wrong with everyone else whose opinion is different than ours, rather than pointing TO Jesus. I can’t direct someone else to go to or look to Jesus, if I am not going to and looking at Jesus.

Our hearts are fragile things. We are told to guard our hearts above all else. Why? Because everything we do flows from it. Heart in this instance refers to our thoughts and what we believe which subsequently determines our actions. Remember that! ALL our hearts are fragile, and we all carry some form of hurt. Be the one who speaks the peace, hope and love of Christ to those whom God has placed in your life. (newsflash – this includes those who live in the same house as you – start at home)

In Colossians 3, God tells us to “take off” anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive speech. But in Christ we are not standing naked looking for fig leaves but directed to “put on” compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. BUT ABOVE ALL THESE things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Get rid of – and then be

Take off – and then put on

Just as any follower of Christ we must – examine ourselves – take stock – sit with God and feel the purification of the refiner’s fire – align our hearts and our minds with His word and trust Him to empower us to BE LIKE JESUS.

So, what are you wearing today? ( but not in a creepy kind of way lol)

I love you.