THE DAILY HABIT

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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Today we continue in our study of the amazing teaching provided by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae. Today we are going to look into the concept of clothing ourselves with the gifts of the Spirit as we seek to live as those included in the grace and life of our Lord.  

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

(Colossians 3:12-17 NIV11)

Echoed

As we heard in the last devotional, we have been purchased (redeemed) by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and as a result, we are called to set our eyes on his example and to submit to his authority in all areas of life. 

This gift is echoed in the opening line of this teaching as we are reminded that we are, “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved”. Because our identity has been given to us through the mercy of the cross, we are being called to live as those who are loved by God and who desire to live out this new identity as part of his chosen and holy children. 

Focus

Today we are going to focus on the message and meaning of what we heard in the second half of verse 12, “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Clothe Yourselves

The Greek word behind the idea of clothing yourself is that of ἐνδύσασθε (endusasthe). This is a common word used to indicate that someone is putting on their daily habit, their routine clothing. The form of the word shows us that the action is being done by the wearer of the clothing. S we are right to say, “clothe yourself”. 

It is important that we catch the action of this concept. We are the agents of this work. No one else is going to dress us and this action is that which is considered fitting and right by the Lord. As his children, his holy people, his redeemed, we are expected to take action. 

Question: How often do we need to clothe ourselves?

Answer: Every time we wake up and set out for the day. 

And so it is with our calling to set our eyes on the giver of life, the keeper of our eternal souls. We must choose to daily turn to Jesus as our Lord and put our spiritual clothes on before we head out into the world.

Compassion

One of the articles of clothing that the Lord has called his holy people to be wrapped with is that of compassion for one another. If we are filled with the love of God, this love will come out of us as we interact with the people in our path. We need to choose to show this love to all we encounter today.

Humility

In addition to God’s love, we must choose to be filled with the humility of Jesus Christ. Jesus showed us an example of true humility at every turn. God the Son served those created by his very word. As we look to Jesus, we will be reminded that we are but dust and all that is good in us is attributable to the generosity of the Lord. 

Gentleness

Every single day we must make the decision to look to Jesus and see that our Lord does not treat us as we deserve. He is gentle toward us. Even the conviction of the Holy Spirit that follows our times of rebellion and sin comes to us in a still small voice rather than a bolt of justice. So we are to temper our inclination toward harshness and selfishness as we clothe ourselves with the humility of the Christ. 

Patience

What is patience? It can be hard to nail down a definition of what it means to be patient toward others. If we look to Jesus, we can see a perfect example of this elusive attribute. Jesus Christ demonstrates patience toward us as he continues to work in our hearts to move us from being self-centered idolaters toward being wholly devoted worshipers. This is a long and frustrating process, at least I assume it must be given the slowness of my own journey, and yet the Lord does not give up on me. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I desire to be clothed in your gifts of compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience. I desire to set my eyes on you today as I encounter people that will test me and try me. Help me to keep looking back at you so that I can bring you glory in all I do and say today. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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