“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved…” (Col.3:12a)
Lord Jesus, these 3 realities define us more than anything else:
- We are Chosen—Not accidently yours, but providentially and affectionately yours.
- We are Holy—Righteous in you, set apart for you, and destined to be 100% like you.
- We are Dearly Loved—Fully known, constantly enjoyed, and forever your treasure.
Jesus, from the overflow of your love for us—infuse our marriages, friendships, parenting, and neighboring with copious portions of these 5 expressions of your relationship with us: “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Col.3:12b). Thank you for loving us like this and help us more fully believe that you do.
Until heaven, our commitment to love well will include seasons of conflict, heart-hurt, disconnect, and the need for repentance. So, free us to “bear with each other and forgive one another when we grieve each other. Jesus, may we forgive as the you forgave us.” (Col.3:13).
Gentle our hearts and supersize our forbearance. Free us to forgive grievances (big and little ones) with speed and joy. May your once-and-for-all forgiveness of us, define and fuel our forgiveness of others. Help us Lord, for each of us inhabits complex and challenging relationships—and we ourselves are not always the easiest to love.
So, help us constantly to “put on love, which binds all these graces together in perfect unity (Col.3:14). Not mere external niceness but dressing ourselves with your love, Jesus—the love you have lavished upon us, pray we will experience more fully (Eph.3:18-19), and bid us extend to each other (Jn.13:34-35).
We long for the Day we will only and forever love perfectly (1Jn.4:18), but until then knowing you already love us perfectly is our deep peace, greatest joy, and profound hope. Hallelujah and So Very Amen.
