How Are You Dressed?

Colossians 3:12-14 says; “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

 

I love the picture here of being clothed / dressed with the these things (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience and love—God’s love). You see as we start each day we make sure we are dressed. We take time to put on what is necessary for that day. These five things make up what is necessary for us to put on each day spiritually. When we are clothed with these, it will make each and every day better and better. We will not only survive each day but we will start to thrive every day. You see the secrete to this is that we are not just putting things onto our lives. We are actually putting the character of God on. When we cover ourselves with the very character of God, so that it is all that people see, life will change for the better. 

Powered for Purpose ... The Year of Hope

 As we look at the year head of us, many may be wondering is there hope? The answer is a resounding YES! I truly believe that God has placed His church (those of us who are follower of Christ) here in this time, in our local setting to be sources of hope for a needy world. The theme for Newport First Baptist for this year it “Powered for Purpose … the Year of Hope.” You see, if God’s people will refocus on His purpose for His church, and we set out to obey and fulfill that purpose through His power, the only possible result is the everyone we meet will by flooded by the hope of God.

 

I have found a portion of the Bible that summarizes this better than 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 where is says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

 

In reading this passage I am reminded once more that God’s grace is sufficient for life, period. Yet so many times we try to replace His grace with something else we can attain. Yet here in verse 8 we see everything is covered as the word “all” is repeated 4 times. Here God is stressing that everything we will ever need is found in Him (in all things, at all times having all you need). Do you need some of this grace today? Do you have this grace today?

 

Remember the result of the all sufficient grace of God is that we will always be overflowing in good works toward others, bringing hope to where they are. This is not only the end result of God’s grace, it is also the key to unlocking that grace in our lives. When we give generously to God it unlocks God’s all sufficient grace in our lives. This in turn provides all we need to that we can pour that grace out to others in generous giving. So are you living in the grace of God today, bringing hope to others as God pours His grace into you? Remember is starts with obediently and cheerfully giving to God.