“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14)

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved…"

Have you ever stopped to let those words sink in? It’s an expression of immeasurable value assigned to us in Christ. We are chosen, set apart as holy, and loved with a deep, abiding affection. This identity alone should give us pause and inspire us to live with intention. This is precisely Paul’s aim in Colossians 3. He contrasts where we came from with where we are going, showing how Christ’s life-giving Spirit changes us from the inside out.

Because we have been made new in Christ and are continually being renewed in the image of our Creator (vs. 10), we are called to actively clothe ourselves with characteristics that mark us as His. Paul uses the metaphor of getting dressed. We are to "clothe yourselves" with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. We are to "put on" love over all of these. This isn't about faking it until we make it; it’s about intentionally dressing the part that is already true of our identity. It’s a conscious choice to live out the new reality that Christ has won for us.

The Wardrobe of the Believer

Paul uses this idea of "putting on" something ten times in his letters to the church. Each time, he describes an amazing facet of what believers have access to in Christ. This wardrobe isn't for show; it's for our protection and purpose. We are told to put on:

• The armor of light (Romans 13:12)

• The Lord Jesus Christ himself (Romans 13:14)

• Christ (Galatians 3:27)

• Incorruption & immortality (I Corinthians 15:53, 54).

• A new self, created in righteousness (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10)

• The whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11)

• The breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14).

• The breastplate of faith and love (I Thessalonians 5:8).

• Various Christian qualities (Colossians 3:12).

• Love, which binds everything together (Colossians 3:14)

When you look at this list, you see a pattern. These are not mere suggestions; they are provisions. They are pieces of armor, declarations of identity, and virtues that protect our hearts and minds. They equip us to navigate a world that often stands in opposition to the ways of God. The question then becomes, how do we actively and daily clothe ourselves with them? How do we move from knowing about this wardrobe to actually wearing it?

How to Get Dressed for a New Life

Making the transition from an old self to a new self requires more than just knowing what to wear; it requires a daily habit of dressing for the life we've been given. I've found a few practices from Scripture to be incredibly helpful in this daily process of "clothing myself" in the qualities Paul describes.

First, know what you’ve been given. You cannot wear what you don't know you own. The best way to explore your new wardrobe is to immerse yourself in God’s love letter to you. Paul encourages this when he says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16). When the truth of Scripture fills your mind, it becomes the foundation upon which you can build your new life.

Second, understand the Lord’s will. Wise living comes from understanding what God desires. Paul writes, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity… Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5:15-17). This is where the first practice pays off. As the Word dwells in you richly, you gain the wisdom and understanding needed to discern God’s will and make choices that align with it.

Finally, train your mind. Our actions flow from our deepest convictions and what we choose to focus on. Proverbs wisely observes that as a person thinks, so they become. This is why Paul gives this charge: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice...” (Philippians 4:8-9a). We must make a habit of conditioning our minds to recognize what is good and true. When our thoughts and worldview align with God’s truth, our actions will naturally follow.

Wearing Your True Identity

You are God’s chosen person. You are holy. You are dearly loved. This is not something you earn; it is who you are. The call to clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and love is an invitation to live in alignment with that truth. It’s a call to let the outside reflect the reality of what Christ has done on the inside.

Today, reflect on this incredible identity. What would it look like to consciously put on kindness when you feel irritated? To choose patience when you are in a hurry? To wrap it all in love, which holds everything together perfectly? Take a moment to thank God for who He has made you to be, and then step out into your day, fully clothed in the truth of your new life.

Personal Reflection Questions

1. Do you find it hard to see yourself as chosen, holy, or dearly loved? Why?

2. Was there a moment today when you could have shown more compassion or kindness?

3. Where in your life could “putting on love” bring more unity or peace?