Being God's chosen ones
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection." (Colossians 3:12-14) In his Letter to the Colossians, Saint Paul provides an elegant depiction of the virtues central to Christian life, characterizing them as a spiritual wardrobe that believers consciously embrace. Paul begins by reminding the faithful of their fundamental identity as "God's chosen ones, holy and beloved," underscoring that Christian morality flows directly from divine election and the gracious love of God. The virtues he lists—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience—reflect the character of Christ Himself, inviting the faithful to embody in their daily lives the same grace-filled attributes reveal...