Embrace New Beginnings: Clothe Yourself in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: You Are Chosen by God

Before you do anything else, remember that you are chosen by God. This truth is foundational for how you see yourself and how you approach each day. God picked you—not because of your achievements or failures, but because of His love and purpose for your life. When you truly grasp that you are elected by God, it changes your posture, lifts your head, and fills you with confidence to live out your calling. You are not meant to just get by or exist; you are called to live a fulfilling, abundant life, knowing that God has already chosen you for His kingdom purposes. [10:40]

Colossians 3:12-17 (NKJV)
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 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. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 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. 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.

Reflection: What would change in your attitude and actions today if you truly believed and walked in the reality that God has chosen you for a purpose?

Day 2: Put On the Character of Christ

Every day is a new opportunity to intentionally clothe yourself with the character of Christ—tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. These are not automatic; you must choose to put them on, just as you choose your clothes each morning. When you wear these spiritual clothes, you become a blessing to those around you, and your life radiates the qualities of Jesus. This intentionality transforms your relationships, your workplace, and your home, making you someone others want to be around because you reflect the heart of God. [13:21]

Colossians 3:12-13 (NKJV)
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 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.

Reflection: Which one of these Christlike qualities do you most need to “put on” today, and how can you intentionally practice it in a specific situation?

Day 3: Forgive as You Have Been Forgiven

Forgiveness is not just a command; it is a process that flows from understanding how much you have been forgiven by God. When you put on mercy and kindness, your heart becomes soft and ready to forgive, releasing the toxic weight of bitterness and resentment. Forgiveness is freeing—it heals wounds and prevents them from becoming infected with bitterness. Remember, God has forgiven you completely; now, empowered by His grace, you can extend that same forgiveness to others, letting go and trusting God with the outcome. [19:02]

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NKJV)
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive today? What step can you take to begin releasing that person and the hurt to God?

Day 4: Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Your Heart

God’s peace is available to you, but you must make room for it by clearing out the clutter of anxiety, unforgiveness, and stress. Peace is not just the absence of trouble; it is the empowering presence of God that brings stability, clarity, and calm even in the midst of pressure. When you let the peace of Christ rule in your heart, you make better decisions and walk through life with a steadiness that others notice. This peace is a gift, but you must “let” it in—by surrendering your cares to God and choosing to trust Him each day. [27:26]

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to clear out the clutter and intentionally invite God’s peace to rule today?

Day 5: Live Thankful and Let God’s Word Dwell Richly

A thankful heart transforms your outlook and your relationships, turning every “have to” into a “get to.” Thankfulness is not just directed toward God but should overflow to the people around you, expressing gratitude for opportunities and for others’ kindness. As you cultivate thankfulness, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly—not just as knowledge, but as a living, joyful reality that shapes your actions and words. When you are filled with God’s word and gratitude, you become a source of blessing and encouragement to everyone you meet. [37:06]

Psalm 100:4-5 (NKJV)
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

Reflection: Who is one person you can thank today—either in person or with a message—and how can you let gratitude shape your words and actions?

Sermon Summary

Each day is a new opportunity, a fresh start loaded with God’s mercies and blessings. The way we approach each day—what we “wear” spiritually—shapes not only our experience but also the lives of those around us. Too often, we carry yesterday’s pain, disappointment, or even victories into today, letting the past dictate our present. But God calls us to live in the newness He provides, to intentionally clothe ourselves with the qualities that reflect His heart: tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and above all, love.

This isn’t about natural clothing, but about the spiritual atmosphere we create around ourselves. Just as we wouldn’t wear yesterday’s dirty clothes, we shouldn’t let old hurts or attitudes linger. Instead, we’re invited to put on a new mindset, one that is rooted in the knowledge that we are chosen by God—elected for a purpose, loved before we ever loved Him. This identity empowers us to live differently, to walk with confidence, and to extend grace to others.

Forgiveness is a key part of this process. It’s not always easy, especially when wounds have become infected with bitterness. But as we put on the qualities of Christ, our hearts are softened, making forgiveness possible. We forgive not just because we’re commanded to, but because we ourselves have been forgiven so much. This releases us from the toxicity of bitterness and opens us up to the peace of God.

Peace, however, requires space. If our lives are cluttered with anxiety, unforgiveness, or negativity, there’s no room for God’s peace to rule. We must clear out the clutter, make room, and let peace in. Thankfulness is another garment we’re called to wear—not just toward God, but toward people. A thankful spirit transforms our outlook, shifting us from entitlement to gratitude, from “I have to” to “I get to.”

Letting the word of Christ dwell richly in us is the fuel for this new way of living. It’s not about how much we know, but how much we live out. When we’re filled with God’s word, we become the miracle in someone else’s life, the hands and feet of Jesus in practical ways. Ultimately, whatever we do, we do as unto the Lord, but this is only possible when we’ve gone through the process of changing our spiritual clothes. Every day is a chance to put on something new, to live out the fullness of God’s purpose, and to be a blessing wherever we go.

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Key Takeaways

1. Embrace Your Identity as Chosen by God Knowing you are elected and chosen by God changes everything about how you approach life. This identity is not based on your performance or the opinions of others, but on God’s initiative and love. When you internalize this truth, it brings confidence, purpose, and a sense of belonging that empowers you to live above mere existence and step into abundant life. [10:23]
2. Intentionally Clothe Yourself with Christlike Qualities Spiritual growth is not automatic; it requires intentionality. Each day, choose to “put on” tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and forgiveness. These are not just ideals but practical attitudes that transform your relationships and environment, making you a source of life and joy to those around you. [13:04]
3. Forgiveness is a Process that Begins with a Softened Heart True forgiveness is difficult when our hearts are hardened by unresolved pain. By first clothing ourselves with mercy and humility, we prepare our hearts to forgive as Christ forgave us. This act of releasing others is not just obedience—it is freedom from the toxicity of bitterness and a step toward healing and wholeness. [15:44]
4. Make Room for God’s Peace by Removing Life’s Clutter Peace is not the absence of problems but the presence of God’s order in our lives. To experience His peace, we must clear out the clutter—anxiety, unforgiveness, and negativity—that fills our hearts and minds. Only then can the peace of God rule, bringing stability, clarity, and empowerment even in the midst of pressure. [27:26]
5. Let Thankfulness and God’s Word Transform Your Perspective A thankful heart shifts your focus from entitlement to gratitude, from “I have to” to “I get to.” This attitude, combined with letting the word of Christ dwell richly in you, fuels a life that is both spiritually vibrant and practically impactful. When you live out God’s word with joy and gratitude, you become a living testimony and a blessing to others. [32:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - A New Day: What Are You Wearing?
[01:16] - Living in the Past, Present, or Future
[03:02] - God’s Mercies Are New Every Day
[04:16] - The Power of God’s Word in Different Translations
[05:36] - Reading Colossians 3:12-17
[06:50] - The Process of Spiritual Clothing
[09:14] - Embracing Your Election and Identity
[12:49] - Putting On Christlike Qualities
[15:04] - The Journey Toward Forgiveness
[17:07] - The Power and Freedom of Forgiveness
[23:17] - Above All, Put On Love
[26:17] - Letting the Peace of God Rule
[32:14] - Living with Thankfulness
[37:06] - Letting the Word of Christ Dwell Richly
[43:15] - Doing Everything as Unto the Lord
[46:40] - Changing Your Spiritual Clothes Today
[48:55] - Practical Spirituality: Living It Out

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Colossians 3:12-17 (NKJV) — Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 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. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 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. 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.

Observation Questions

According to Colossians 3:12-17, what are the specific qualities Paul tells believers to "put on" each day?
In the sermon, what does the pastor mean by "spiritual clothing," and how does he compare it to natural clothing? [[01:56]]
What does Paul say is the "bond of perfection" that holds all the other qualities together?
How does the passage describe the role of thankfulness in the life of a believer?

Interpretation Questions

The pastor says that knowing you are "chosen" by God changes how you approach life. How might embracing this identity affect someone's confidence and sense of purpose? [[10:23]]
Why do you think Paul (and the pastor) emphasize the need to "put on" Christlike qualities intentionally, rather than expecting them to happen automatically? [[14:29]]
The sermon describes forgiveness as a process that starts with a softened heart. What does it look like to prepare your heart for forgiveness, and why is this preparation important? [[15:44]]
The pastor talks about "making room" for God's peace by removing life's clutter. What kinds of "clutter" might prevent someone from experiencing God's peace, and how can they be cleared out? [[27:26]]

Application Questions

The pastor challenges us not to carry yesterday's pain, disappointment, or even victories into today. Is there something from your past that you are still "wearing" that you need to let go of? What would it look like to take it off and put on something new today? [[01:16]]
When you think about the qualities listed in Colossians 3:12—tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love—which one do you find hardest to "put on" in your daily life? Why? What is one practical step you could take this week to grow in that area? [[13:04]]
The sermon says forgiveness is not just obedience, but freedom from bitterness. Is there someone you need to forgive, or a situation you need to release to God? What is holding you back, and how could you begin the process of forgiveness? [[15:44]]
The pastor uses the image of a cluttered garage to describe a life too full for God's peace. What is one area of "clutter" (anxiety, unforgiveness, negativity, etc.) in your life that you need to clear out? How could you start making space for God's peace this week? [[27:26]]
Thankfulness is described as a "garment" that shifts us from entitlement to gratitude. What is one thing or person you are thankful for right now? How could you express that thankfulness in a tangible way this week? [[32:38]]
The sermon says, "Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you." What is one way you could let God's word fill your mind and heart more this week—through reading, memorizing, or sharing it with someone else? [[37:06]]
The pastor says, "Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord." Is there an area of your life (work, family, serving, etc.) where you struggle to live with this mindset? What would it look like to approach that area as if you were doing it for Jesus? [[43:15]]

Sermon Clips

God gives us some real key instruction of how to live in today and in the future and be thankful for your past. How many want to get healed from your past? Come on. We've all got wounds. We've all got pain, but we want to make sure we we consistently move through the different things of our life. [00:03:28]

There is a great enjoyment of internal life, internal life that when you know you've been picked. Anyone remember the days? I don't know if they do it these days because everything's so give everyone a reward, but um the days when you had to have two captains pick a team. [00:09:20]

You need to know today, even if you're not getting chosen in some things of life, the most important person that is has chosen you. and to walk around as a chosen person. God picked me. He picked you. The Bible says before you loved him, he loved you. Before you chose him, he chose you. You didn't find God. He found you. [00:10:30]

And so, he goes after you, seeks you out, encounters you, and it changes your life. I I've been recently re re um engaging with some things for my own journey with God. And I go through a a 10-minute confession and I declare the promises of God over my life. I de declare who I am in Christ. [00:10:57]

If you woke up today and when that's it, I'm going to put on tender mercies. I'm going to be merciful today. I'm going to be kind today. I'm going to be walking in humility today. I'm going to walk with meekness today. I'm going to long suffering today. What sort of day are you likely to have? [00:13:12]

If you begin to dress and clothe yourself with the kind of material and characteristics that God has, what would change your life? What an impact your life if you really began to understand the power of wearing these things in. One thing would happen, you start to get a smile on the dial. [00:13:35]

See, God's going, "Hey, you you need to put some things on and you've got to be intentional about this." In other words, it's not automatic. The instruction is you got to be one that says I will put these things on. [00:14:27]

Forgiveness is like a cut that gets the ointment on it. And what's that ointment? God forgave you, which gives you the power to forgive others. And so Paul is building up this whole way of doing life and wearing a a certain type of uh attitude towards life where you're putting on all these tender mercies. [00:15:55]

If you allow the understanding that's why you tr you tap onto the put on. If you allow the understanding of that to hit your life because I've been forgiven, how in the world can I not forgive anybody and everybody that's done something against me? If God decided to hold the things against you, what would happen? [00:18:58]

Part of my purpose is to live a life that loves and honors God in all that I do. I want to make sure that every everything I do comes from the highest of my values which is love. I got five key values. I got about 40 values but I got about five key ones. The top of the list is love. [00:23:48]

The motive of all that we do has to be out of a love. And therefore, you got to understand of how God loves you. Because you go back to the first po premise. He says you're elected. Why are you elected? Because of his love. He takes us through a journey. [00:25:48]

Some of us are going, "Why isn't the peace that God talks about in my life?" Because your life is full of clutter. So to really understand what we're talking about today, you got to understand the verses before about getting rid of some stuff because he goes, "Let the peace of God come on in." [00:27:01]

That's why he says this, "Be anxious for nothing, but pray. Bring your request to God. Be thankful. And then the peace of God will guard your heart and your mind." There's a process. Are you with me? Why am I so stressed? Well, you got to do the other stuff. [00:28:37]

Paul is writing with this expression, be thankful, saying thank you to God and saying thank you to people for what they've done, the opportunities they gave. Not worse. expression. But antichrist is anything against the ways of Christ. It's anti- Jesus. [00:34:29]

I don't get impressed by what people know of the Bible. I get impressed with what they live of the Bible. How happy are you? Got a smile on the dial. Come on. Come on, Christians. If it's rich, there's going to be a smile on the dial. [00:37:16]

Whatever you're thinking today is you're going to head towards. God says whatever you think you are, you are. So he says, I'm going to let you know how powerful your thinking is and how much you are led in life by your head. [00:44:31]

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