Therefore. It’s one of those Bible words we fly right past. Whenever you see a “therefore,” it’s worth asking: What is the “therefore” there for? Paul has spent the first part of Colossians 3 reminding us of what is already true. You have been raised with Christ. Your life is now hidden with Christ. Your old self is dead, and you are being made new.

Notice the order. Paul doesn’t say, “Be compassionate and kind so God will love you.” He says God has already chosen you and made you holy in Christ, and He loves you dearly. Therefore, let your life reflect who you already are. That changes everything.

Mercy isn’t something we manufacture to impress God. It flows from what God has already done for us. We show compassion because He has shown us compassion. We extend kindness because He has been kind to us. We can be patient with imperfect people because God is incredibly patient with imperfect people like us. (Or am I the only imperfect one around here? 😉)

The Christian life isn’t about trying harder to become someone new. In Christ, you already are someone new. The enemy wants you to forget that! Now comes the daily challenge: live like it.

Final Thought: You have already been made new in Christ. Now go live like it’s true!