You take your faith to the next level by living like the person God says you are. Colossians 3:12-17 shows the way: remember that you’re chosen and loved, put others before yourself, refuse to stay stuck in unforgiveness and let your words point people to Jesus. Growth doesn’t come from trying harder in your own strength. It comes from letting Christ’s love and message fill your everyday life.
Remember Who You Are
Many Christians feel stuck. They believe in Jesus and go to church, but their faith seems to have stalled. Paul’s instructions for growth don’t start with a to-do list. They start with a reminder of who believers already are because of God’s love.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Chosen, holy and dearly loved: that’s your identity before you do a single good thing. God set you apart because he loves you, not because you earned it. Out of that security, Paul tells you to “clothe yourselves” with Christlike character. Just like living out your new identity in Christ, this character is something you put on every day.
Put Others First
The world tells us to put ourselves first. Everything becomes about what we feel, what we want and how we express ourselves, and if other people get in the way, they can be pushed aside. Jesus called his followers to a completely different way of living when his disciples argued about which of them was the greatest.
Luke 22:25-26 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
Call it a “me-second” attitude. Jesus lived it all the way to the cross, and he invites us to share it. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience are all ways of putting someone else’s good ahead of our own. Imagine what would happen in your marriage, family, workplace or church if you made that your default.
Don’t Get Stuck in Unforgiveness
Few things stall spiritual growth like a grudge. Unforgiveness keeps us replaying old hurts and slowly hardens our hearts. Paul ties our willingness to forgive directly to what Jesus has done for us.
Colossians 3:13-14 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Christianity is all about being forgiven by Jesus and passing that forgiveness on. A long pattern of refusing to forgive is a warning sign that we’ve lost sight of how much we’ve been forgiven. Forgiveness isn’t pretending the hurt didn’t happen or that trust is instantly restored. It’s releasing the debt to God. You can learn more about how forgiveness works.
Let Your Words Point to Jesus
It’s easy to forget how much our words matter, whether we’re talking in person, texting or posting online. What comes out of our mouths shows what’s filling our hearts. Paul ends this section with an instruction that covers every word and action.
Colossians 3:16-17 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. 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.
When the message of Christ fills your life, it naturally comes out in how you speak, sing and encourage others. Doing everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus” means you always represent him. Peter says that when believers live this way, even people who criticize them “may see your good deeds and glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12). That’s what it looks like when the supremacy of Christ shows up in ordinary life.
The Takeaway
How can you take your faith to the next level? Remember that you’re chosen and dearly loved, put others first, refuse to stay stuck in unforgiveness and let Christ’s message fill your words. Growth comes as you clothe yourself with Jesus’ character and represent him in everything you do.
