Day 57 — Clothed with Christlike Character

Day 57 · Growing in Holiness, Love, and Wisdom · Colossians 3:1-17 (NET2)

Because believers share in Christ’s risen life, they are called to put sinful practices to death and put on compassion, humility, patience, and love. Christ’s word is to dwell richly among them, shaping teaching, song, and thanksgiving. The new life is personal and shared. We grow as his truth fills our hearts and our relationships, and as everything is done in his name.

Request

Lord Jesus, let your word dwell richly in me and shape my character. Amen.

Read

Colossians 3:1-17

¹ Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, ³ for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him. ⁵ So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. ⁷ You also lived your lives in this way at one time, when you used to live among them. ⁸ But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices ¹⁰ and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it. ¹¹ Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all.

¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. ¹⁴ And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond. ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).

Reflect

1. How does belonging to Christ ground the commands to put off and put on?
2. Which Christlike quality could shape your speech or actions today?

Restate

Restate what it means for Christ’s word to dwell richly among his people.

Respond

Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:

• Praise: Praise Christ as the source of your new life.
• Thanksgiving: Thank him for forgiveness and fellowship in his body.
• Confession: Confess a sinful practice you need to put away.
• Intercession: Pray for your church to be rich in Christ’s word.
• Petition: Ask for compassion, patience, and thankful worship.

Carry it into today: Recall Colossians 3:16 and share one encouraging truth with another believer.