Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 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. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14 ESV

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 ESV

Think about the clothes you put on every day. Do you have different clothes for the different places you go or things you do? Like school, church, outside to play, or even to bed.

Our verses today talk about the spiritual things we should “put on” each day before we go out to school or church or any place where we see other people. “For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1Samuel 16:7b

We are “God’s chosen ones,” we are loved by God. The verse just above tells us that God doesn’t look at the clothes we choose or the color of our hair or skin, God looks at our hearts, who we are inside and if we treat other people like Jesus and God would want us to.

Paul, in his letter to the Colossians tells them, and us today, what our inside, our heart should be like. Each day we should “put on” each of these things as we talk with other people.

1. A compassionate heart cares about other people and how they feel and tries to help.
2. We should treat others, even those who aren’t always nice to us, with kindness.
3. We should be humble and meek, not bossy or boastful.
4. We should be patient, waiting calmly, not getting upset or angry if something takes too long.
5. We should forgive others because God has forgiven us. We all make mistakes.
6. And the greatest is love; God asks us to love people as He loves us. Jesus always showed love for people.

This week talk with your parents about “putting on” each of these spiritual “clothes” before you get ready to start your new day! As you put on your real clothes each day, remember to also put on your spiritual clothes: a compassionate heart, kindness, humbleness, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love!

Blessings and joy as you put on your spiritual gifts every day to help and encourage others!