Colossians 3:12 — Dressed To The Nines

12 Put on, then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, pitiful compassions, kindness, humility, meekness, patience,

Paul does not begin with what we must do, but with who we are. Before urging them to “put on” anything, he first calls his readers “God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved.” This is not an ideal to strive for, but a given. He chose, He set apart, and He loves. That determines who we are, and from that identity follows the corresponding exhortation.

Just as clothing makes visible who someone is, believers may likewise put on qualities that befit the new humanity. Compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience form, as it were, the fitting wardrobe of those whom God has chosen, made holy, and loves. These are qualities that befit the new humanity He has created in Christ.

What is striking is that Paul does not say: develop these qualities, but: put them on. So abandon the thought that this would be an almost impossible assignment. What could be easier than putting on a garment that fits you? The new life does not consist of attempts at self-improvement, but of living in accordance with who we already are in God’s eyes. As new people, then, we may dress to the nines.

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