Colossians 3:12-17
“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.”
The core purpose of a Christian's life is to grow in likeness to Christ. Since humans were created in the image of God, becoming more like Christ is the essential purpose of human existence, and this should be the goal of every Christian's life. The work of Christ’s redemption in us is to restore us to the original image of God, reflecting His character and nature.
When the peace of Christ rules in our hearts and His word dwells richly within us, both our inner and outer selves become filled with God's grace. Every word and action of a Christian should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, which means living a life that relies on His power and the work He has done.
The identity of a Christian must be evident in all aspects of life, manifesting in attitudes such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These attitudes play a crucial role in our relationships with others, enabling us to live a life that practices Christ's love and forgiveness.
As Christians become more like God, they are transformed into people who are deeply thankful. Gratitude for God's grace becomes a significant part of life, leading to peace, which in turn gives the strength to practice forgiveness and love. To achieve this, our hearts must be filled with His word. Through this, Christians become people who express gratitude in every area of life, praise God, experience His peace, and dedicate their lives to Him.
Prayer: Lord, we ask that Your grace govern our inner being, and that we may be fully clothed in that grace. May we live our lives empowered by Your love, renewed by Your strength, and directed by Your purpose. We offer our hearts and our deepest thoughts to You now. Touch and govern us, renewing us so that Your mercy and love may be revealed through us to our neighbors, colleagues, and fellow believers. In our daily lives, let Your grace shine through us. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)
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