As we approach the new year, let us hold onto Paul's great encouragement to the Colossians to pursue peace within their community.
"As God's chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts, and be thankful." (Colossians 3:12-15)
Paul gives us a great list of what we, as Christians, are to “put on:” compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Then he tells us to bear with one another and to forgive one another. But he doesn’t stop there…he addresses the issue of unity saying, above all, put on love. Wow! Wouldn’t our communities today look different if we as Christians implemented Paul’s teachings?