Characteristics Of A Christian

“12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:12-17

I really, really like these verses. In verse twelve, it directs the elect in Christ to put on mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering. Continuing on into verse thirteen, it says to forbear one another, and forgive one another, even as Christ has forgiven us, so also should we. But above all these things, it says to put on charity, or love, which is the bond of perfection. I think these things are essential in our walk with Christ. They make up much of the characteristics of a Christian. Mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance, forgiveness, love; these are things that I want people to associate with me. I pray to the Lord to help me grow in these areas.

This morning I was listening to the radio, and they were talking about a man who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. The only proof the jury for sentencing him was the victim’s identification of the man. The fingerprints the police had gathered did not match his own. His friends all gave testimony in court that he was with them at a party playing some cards, when the crime was committed. Still, the jury pronounced him guilty. Now, twenty years later, this 39 yr. old man has passed away, dying from an asthma attack. More than half his life was spent in prison for a crime that he didn’t commit (I hope and pray that that man found peace in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ). Can you imagine that? Can you imagine spending all those years in jail, for a crime YOU didn’t commit? I think that it would be very easy to grow bitter in that situation, not only towards the man who had really committed the crime, and the jury, but towards everyone and everything. But as Christians serving Jesus, that is not how we should be. Kindness, longsuffering, forbearance, forgiveness, and love all come into play here. It would be extremely hard to forgive, and love people for that. Yet, His Word says we can do all things through Christ, who gives us the strength we need. Thank-You Lord!

Let everything you do, be in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord!

God Bless You, Brothers and Sisters!

In Christ,

Kevin