Listen to this sermon at this link.
Have you ever tried to be someone that you aren’t? Putting on an act to hide your true character? I’m not sure if people really know what a Christian acts like any more because so many people claim to be Christians, but don’t act like Christ.
In Colossians 3:12-17, Paul is writing to believers and he tells them to clothe themselves with the characteristics of Jesus, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. All of these are characteristics that are wrapped up and summed up in love.
Instead of being a “Christian”, we should aspire to be Christ-like.
We must intentionally “love” and this may not come naturally. So, it’s something we have to be aware of.
Why? Because as we are elected by God to represent him, we have to love others as He loves us.
God loves the most undeserving and aren’t we called to do this also?
His love makes wretches into treasures.
As God’s representatives we must be his holy and loving people. We can disagree, but we don’t have to be disagreeable.
The world we live in is spiraling downward and if we can’t bear with each other and forgive each other, we aren’t clothing ourselves in love.
When I think of the things God has forgiven me for, I know that it is my purpose to forgive others when they do wrong. We model Christ in the way we conduct ourselves. That’s how people know who we belong to.
We don’t know people’s stories or what they’ve walked through. We have to bear with them and show them love no matter what.
We return love and reverence to God vertically, but we are also called to show love to others horizontally.
Be intentional in showing love, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience to everyone. We can’t show these to only those we like because we are called to love everyone.
Thank you, God, for choosing me and helping me be more Christ-like!
It was so good to return from vacation and hear this message from Jon Porter that reminds us how we are to act as Christ followers.
In Faith,
Pam
Where God Leads 
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