Character Counts

¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be 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 whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Colossians 3:12-17 NKJV

As Christians we are not to just tolerate one another, we are to love one another. We express that love by being merciful, kind, humble, gentle, patient and forgiving. These are traits that we are to possess. We have to practice them by resisting the flesh and walking in the Spirit. Upon having a free will remember that opportunities will arise to make choices. When offenses come to us we can:

• choose to be cruel or choose to show mercy.
• choose to be mean or choose to be kind.
• choose to be proud or choose to be humble.
• choose to be brutal or choose to be gentle.
• choose to be hasty or choose to be patient.
• choose to be vindictive or choose to be forgiving.
• choose to love or choose to hate.

One way or another we make choices every day. These are things that we have control over. A choice must be made. What will be yours?

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

1 John 4:20 NKJV

 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

1 John 4:8 NKJV

Pray with me please.

Father God,
Thank You so much for Your great love. We cannot even begin to understand the depth of Your love. You are so wonderful. You have chosen us (John 15:16). We are so honored to be Your children (1 John 3:1-2). Thank You for another day and with it the opportunity to choose to honor You in everything that we think, say or do. May we be a light in this dark world always and only pointing others to You. When we have a choice may we always choose that which brings You joy. We surrender our lives to You to be used for Your glory. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done (Matthew 6:10). In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

If you do not know Jesus but would like to know more about Him, including how you can be saved, please read the following blog titled, You Never Let Us Go. God bless. https://thefathersfeet.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/you-never-let-us-go/