Clothed with Christlike Character: Living Out Who We Are in Christ

Clothed with Christlike Character: Living Out Who We Are in Christ

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”

— Colossians 3:12 KJV

Have you ever stood in front of your closet wondering what to wear?

Every morning, we make a choice about what clothing we will put on. We choose something appropriate for the day, something comfortable, or perhaps something that reflects our personality.

In Colossians 3:12, the Apostle Paul uses the picture of putting on clothing to describe something much deeper. As believers, we have a new identity in Christ, and Paul teaches us to put on attitudes and characteristics that are consistent with who we are.

This isn't about trying to earn God's love or acceptance. We don't put on these qualities so that God will save us. We have already been saved by grace through Christ.

Instead, we are learning to live from the identity God has already given us in Christ.

We Are Already “Holy and Beloved”

Notice how Paul begins:

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved…”

Before Paul tells us what to put on, he reminds us who we are.

We are “holy and beloved.”

That is important.

Christian living doesn't begin with, “Try harder so God will be pleased with you.”

It begins with understanding what God has already accomplished for us through Christ.

We have been justified by faith:

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

— Romans 5:1 KJV

Our standing before God is based upon Christ and His finished work—not our ability to perform perfectly.

That changes the way we approach Christian living.

We aren't trying to become acceptable to God.

We are learning to live as people who have already been accepted in Christ.

What Does It Mean to “Put On”?

When Paul says to “put on” these characteristics, he is giving us a practical picture of Christian living.

We have an identity in Christ, but our daily thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions still need to be brought into agreement with God's Word.

Think about getting dressed in the morning.

You may own beautiful clothing, but you have to actually put it on.

In a similar way, Scripture teaches us about the qualities that should characterize our lives as believers. We must intentionally allow God's truth to shape how we respond to people and circumstances.

Paul identifies several qualities in Colossians 3:12.

Bowels of Mercies

The word “bowels” in this passage refers to the inward affections or tender feelings of compassion.

Mercy begins in the heart.

Instead of looking at someone else's weakness, failure, or difficult circumstances with judgment and harshness, we can respond with compassion.

Because we have received God's grace and mercy, we can extend mercy toward others.

Kindness

Kindness is more than simply being pleasant.

It is choosing to treat others with goodness and grace.

Kindness can be expressed through our words, our actions, our patience, and even the way we respond when someone has disappointed us.

Sometimes the simplest acts of kindness can become powerful expressions of God's grace.

Humbleness of Mind

Humility means having a proper view of ourselves.

We don't have to constantly prove ourselves, demand recognition, or make ourselves more important than others.

We can rest in who we are in Christ.

When our identity is secure in Him, we don't have to build our identity around being admired, successful, right, or superior.

Meekness

Meekness is not weakness.

Biblical meekness involves gentleness and controlled strength.

There will be times when we have every opportunity to respond harshly, defend ourselves unnecessarily, or allow anger to control our words.

Instead, God's Word teaches us another way.

We can respond with gentleness.

That doesn't mean ignoring truth or refusing to address wrongdoing. It means allowing God's Word to govern how we respond.

Longsuffering

Longsuffering means patiently enduring difficult circumstances and difficult people.

This can be one of the hardest qualities to practice.

We live in a world where we are often encouraged to respond immediately—to react, defend ourselves, express our frustration, and make our feelings known.

But Scripture teaches us the value of patience.

Sometimes walking in grace means taking a breath, remembering who we are in Christ, and allowing God's Word to guide our response instead of our emotions.

How Do We Actually Put These Things On?

This brings us to an important question.

How can we actually live this way?

The answer isn't simply, “Try harder.”

We need God's Word.

Paul continues in Colossians:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…”

— Colossians 3:16 KJV

This is why reading, studying, and meditating on God's Word is so important.

We cannot consistently live according to truth that we don't know.

If we rarely spend time in Scripture, our thoughts will naturally be shaped by other things—the world around us, our emotions, our circumstances, social media, other people's opinions, and our own fears.

But when we regularly read and study God's Word, we fill our minds with God's truth.

When we meditate upon that truth, we begin to think about it, remember it, and apply it to our everyday circumstances.

Scripture begins to influence the way we see ourselves, the way we see other people, and the way we respond to life.

God's Word Changes the Way We Think

The Christian life is not simply about changing our outward behavior.

God's Word reaches much deeper.

It teaches us to think differently.

When someone hurts us, Scripture gives us truth about how to respond.

When we're tempted to become prideful, Scripture reminds us of humility.

When we're impatient, Scripture reminds us of longsuffering.

When we're discouraged, Scripture reminds us of who we are in Christ.

When we're tempted to live according to the world's standards, Scripture brings us back to God's truth.

This is why Bible study is not merely an intellectual exercise.

God's Word is meant to become part of the way we think and live.

Allowing Christ's Life to Be Manifested Through Us

As believers, we are not called to manufacture Christlike character through our own human strength.

We are learning to walk according to the truth of who we are in Christ.

As we read, study, believe, and meditate upon God's Word, His truth works in our thinking. It teaches us how to respond to the situations we encounter every day.

Instead of asking, “How can I make myself act more like Christ?” we can ask:

“What does God's Word say, and how should I respond according to that truth?”

This takes the focus off self-effort and places it on God's Word and our identity in Christ.

The goal isn't perfection through human effort.

The goal is to allow the truth of God's Word to have such a place in our hearts and minds that the life of Christ is increasingly manifested through our everyday conduct.

Grace Doesn't Mean We Don't Grow

Sometimes grace is misunderstood.

Because we are saved by grace and not by works, some may think that Christian growth and godly living don't matter.

But Paul doesn't teach that.

Grace changes our relationship with God, but it also changes the way we live.

We aren't working for our salvation.

We are living from the salvation we already have in Christ.

We aren't trying to earn God's love.

We are responding to the grace He has already given us.

We aren't attempting to establish our righteousness through our own works.

We are learning to walk according to the truth of God's Word.

That is why Scripture is so important.

What Are You Wearing Today?

Colossians 3:12 gives us a beautiful picture of what our daily lives should look like:

Mercy.

 Kindness.

 Humility.

 Meekness.

 Longsuffering.

These aren't simply words to admire on a Scripture graphic.

They are qualities we can intentionally put on as we walk through our everyday lives.

When someone frustrates you, put on longsuffering.

When someone needs compassion, put on mercy.

When pride begins to rise, put on humility.

When you have an opportunity to respond harshly, put on meekness.

When someone needs encouragement, put on kindness.

And remember that these things don't begin with your ability to perform.

They begin with who you are in Christ and your willingness to let God's Word shape your thoughts and conduct.

Let God's Word Dwell in You Richly

The next time you open your Bible, don't simply read the words and close the book.

Take time to read them, study them, meditate upon them, and think about how they apply to your life.

Ask yourself:

• What does this passage teach me?

• What does it tell me about who I am in Christ?

• What truth do I need to remember today?

• How should this truth affect my thoughts?

• How should it affect the way I respond to others?

The more God's Word dwells in us, the more readily we can respond according to its truth.

We don't need to put on a religious performance.

We need to continually renew our minds with God's Word and walk in the identity we have already been given in Christ.

Clothed by Grace

Colossians 3:12 is ultimately a beautiful reminder that grace equips us to live beautifully.

We are saved by grace.

We are justified by faith.

We are complete in Christ.

And as we read, study, and meditate upon God's Word, we learn how to live in a way that reflects the new life we have in Him.

So tomorrow morning when you stand before your closet deciding what to wear, remember there is something far more important to put on.

Put on mercy.

 Put on kindness.

 Put on humility.

 Put on meekness.

 Put on longsuffering.

And above all, let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.

Because when God's truth fills our hearts and minds, it can transform the way we live—and the life of Christ can be manifested through us.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…”

— Colossians 3:16 KJV

Stay Connected

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. My prayer is that it has encouraged you to look to God's Word as you seek to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

If you're looking for more grace-centered encouragement, Bible studies, devotionals, journaling resources, and practical help for everyday Christian living, I'd love to invite you to join my free Grace Living Newsletter. As a subscriber, you'll receive biblical encouragement, ministry updates, and be among the first to hear about new articles, podcasts, and resources created to help you grow in God's grace. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE 

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Whether you're just beginning your journey or have been studying God's Word for many years, I pray these resources will point you back to the wonderful grace of God and help you grow in your knowledge of who you are in Christ.

May "the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13, KJV)

In His Grace, 

Adrienne Jason