1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

— Colossians 3:1, 12-15, 17

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age

— Titus 2:11-12

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Believers in Jesus are called to align our lives with the full reality of the eternal salvation that we have gained in Christ through faith. Belief in Christ clothes God’s children in His righteousness. This amazing transfer of Christ’s perfection to us takes place by God’s doing, not our own. We contribute nothing, yet through faith in Christ we receive what we cannot earn.

Though we remain sinners, God sees us through the lens of His perfect Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. We enjoy peace with God because we belong to Him. God counts believers as righteous, equipping us in our ongoing battle with sin on earth. God’s righteousness transformed believers’ lives. While we are constantly amazed by and enjoying God’s grace, may the sharing of the wonder of the salvation – being renewed and transformed in Christ – become our life mission. (Inspired by BSF’s Study of Romans)