Read Colossians 3:12–14
As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
Because we have trusted Christ, we have been “set apart” from the world, unto the Lord. That is the meaning of the word holy. We are not our own; we belong completely to Him (1 Cor. 6:19–20). Just as the marriage ceremony sets apart a man and a woman for each other exclusively, so salvation sets believers apart exclusively for Jesus Christ. Would it not be a horrible thing, at the end of a wedding, to see the groom run off with the maid of honor? It is just as horrible to contemplate Christians living for the world and the flesh.
When unbelievers sin, they are creatures breaking the laws of the holy Creator and Judge. But when we Christians sin, we are children of God breaking the loving heart of our heavenly Father. Love is the strongest motivating power in the world. As we grow in our love for God, we will grow in our desire to obey Him and to walk in the newness of life that is ours in Christ.
Something to Ponder
In what ways are you “set apart” from the world?