Hello and welcome back to the A United Front course.
In Lesson 15, we learned that through His death and resurrection, Christ made a new and living way for us. To walk in His way, we must put off our old way of life (the actions of an unbeliever). We made a list of "old ways" we want to put off which included things such as malice, dominance, disrespect, sinful anger, revenge, self-pity, impurity, gossip, rebellion, pride, and deceit. And we understood from Ephesians 4 and Colossians 3 that Christ took away our filthy rags and gave us gleaming robes of righteousness. As dearly loved and chosen children, we must embrace Him, rejoice in our new “clothes” and learn Christ’s way of living.
By way of review, please read Colossians 3:12-17. We will be studying this passage in detail over the coming lessons. Let’s begin with verse 12: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience..."
Question 1. According to Colossians 3:12, what are we to “put on” first?
First, we are told to put on a compassionate heart. Having a compassionate heart might sound simple at first consideration, but the concept is a weighty one. The original Greek words translate to “bowels of mercies,” communicating that this is mercy flowing from the very core of our being—deep and sacrificial compassion.
This type of compassion sees another’s plight and, moved by love, takes action to help. These same words are used to describe the compassion and mercy that God had on us when He gave His Son Jesus to die in our place (Luke 1:78).
Let’s pause and consider the mercy and compassion of our God as this will help us to understand the compassionate heart we are to seek.
Think of it, friend, you were born dead in your sins, without hope and separated from God; but God, who is rich in mercy, sent His perfect Son to die in your place. Jesus bore the guilt of your sin to give you eternal life. He then rose from the dead, proof that God accepted His sacrifice, to justify you before the Father. “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Romans 4:25 (NIV)
Yes, God had compassion on us and took action to help us; because of His compassionate heart toward us, we benefitted though we did not deserve it, and as His children, we can now extend genuine compassion to others.
Question 2. Considering God’s compassionate heart toward you, do you have a compassionate heart toward your spouse? Why or why not?
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