Put On Love

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” (Colossian 3:12-14 from the Message)

In the midst of this election week, with votes still being counted, for a number of reasons this passage keeps coming to my mind. Here Paul is addressing the church in Colossae, in this chapter he outlines the call to a holy life.

It is a life set apart from the world, that doesn’t get caught up in the things of the world. Paul compares the act of engaging this new life to putting on a new garment. In my mind, I like to envision this garment as something we knowingly choose to put on, but it is not a physical garment, it is a decision about how we will react and respond to the world around us.

We are called to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (from the CEB translation). Paul goes on that we should be even-tempered and content with second place. That phrase has caught my attention this week. I know that in the event my preferred candidate doesn’t win the election, I need to be content with that reality.

We are reminded to forgive quickly. That is not easy for some of us. Some of us tend to know we should forgive, but we hold onto the offense longer than we need to. But, putting off forgiveness hinders unity and delays peace.

We are told that the basic aspect of this garment is that it represents love. As Eugene Peterson puts it so powerfully, “Regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” This reminds me of the old American Express ad campaign, “Don’t leave home without it.” We should never go out into the world without first putting on love.

As we continue moving forward into an uncertain future, let us be sure we strive to not get caught up in the mayhem around us. May our garments of love allow us to reflect the love of Christ to those around us as we endeavor to be peacemakers.

Will you pray with me? Lord, we confess we need your guiding hand. We thank you for your promise that we can leave the old life behind and put on a new life that is grounded in your love. Help us to put on love, to radiate your love to those around us. Help us to be content with second place, recognizing our call is to be those who are quick to forgive, just as you have forgiven us. Amen

Pastor Shawn