Lessons from Colossians: Chosen by God
What Does It Mean to Be Chosen by God? Living as a Representative of Christ
Being chosen by God is not just a title. It is a calling that shapes how you live, how you love, and how you treat the people around you every single day. Colossians 3:12-17 gives us a clear and practical picture of what that looks like in real life.
What Does the Bible Say About Being Chosen by God?
Paul writes in Colossians 3:12-14: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 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. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Paul is not saying that these virtues are how you earn your place with God. He is saying they are how you reflect that you already belong to Him. There is a big difference between earning your seat at the table and living like you belong there.
What Virtues Should Flow From a Believer's Life?
Paul lists several qualities that should mark the life of someone who is chosen by God:
But here is the key point. All of these virtues are hollow without love at the center. Paul says to put on love above all else because love is what binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Why Is Love the Foundation of Everything?
It is easy to pursue the fruit of love without actually pursuing love itself. But when love is removed from the equation, even the most impressive spiritual activity will eventually fall apart. John 3:16 is the clearest example of love being the motivation behind something world-changing: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
It was not the nails that kept Jesus on the cross. It was love for you and for me. That same love is meant to be the driving force behind everything a believer does. Without it, there will be no lasting fruit.
How Do You Let the Peace of Christ Rule Your Heart?
Paul continues in Colossians 3:15-16: "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
During the Great Depression, many farmers were crushed by fear and uncertainty. But one farmer stood out. His children later said they had no idea how much pressure their Father was under because He always carried peace. He sang hymns in the fields. He taught his children the Word of God every night. When asked how he maintained such peace, he said simply: "I did not allow the pressures of life to rule my heart. I allowed the peace of Christ to rule my heart."
The question worth asking is this: what is ruling your heart right now? Is it your circumstances, or is it Christ?
What Role Does the Word of God Play in Your Daily Life?
For Christ to dwell in you richly, the Word of God has to be more than a Sunday morning experience. It needs to be a daily feast. Fathers are called to lead their families in the Word. Every believer, young or old, needs to be reading and applying Scripture throughout the week.
A lot of times we consume content all week long that pulls us toward the culture around us rather than elevating us toward the calling of God. News, entertainment, and social media can quietly shape what rules our hearts if we are not intentional about filling ourselves with truth.
What Does It Look Like to Represent Christ Wherever You Are?
Paul closes this passage in Colossians 3:17: "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."
The Holy Spirit is not confined to a church building. God's presence can and should manifest wherever He has placed you. Your workplace, your home, your neighborhood. These are all places where you are called to be a representative of Christ.
People watch what we do far more than they listen to what we say.
What Is the Connection Between Gratitude and Spiritual Maturity?
Paul mentions thankfulness three times in just three verses. And remember, he is writing from prison. Gratitude is not reserved for easy seasons. It is a mark of someone whose heart has been deeply shaped by the Word of Christ.
It is vital to understand that the deeper the Word of Christ dwells in me, the more gratitude will flow out of me.
When you truly understand what it means to be chosen, loved, forgiven, and called by God, thanksgiving stops being something you have to work at. It becomes something that flows naturally from a heart overwhelmed by grace.
Life Application
This week, choose one specific place in your life where you have been lowering yourself to the standard of the culture around you rather than rising to the standard God has called you to. It might be at work, at home, or in a relationship. Make a deliberate decision to show up as a representative of Christ in that space. Let love motivate your actions, let the peace of Christ rule your responses, and let gratitude shape your attitude even when the circumstances are hard.
Ask yourself these questions as you go into the week:
Being chosen by God is not just a title. It is a calling that shapes how you live, how you love, and how you treat the people around you every single day. Colossians 3:12-17 gives us a clear and practical picture of what that looks like in real life.
What Does the Bible Say About Being Chosen by God?
Paul writes in Colossians 3:12-14: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 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. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Paul is not saying that these virtues are how you earn your place with God. He is saying they are how you reflect that you already belong to Him. There is a big difference between earning your seat at the table and living like you belong there.
What Virtues Should Flow From a Believer's Life?
Paul lists several qualities that should mark the life of someone who is chosen by God:
- Compassionate hearts
- Kindness
- Humility
- Meekness
- Patience
- Forgiveness
But here is the key point. All of these virtues are hollow without love at the center. Paul says to put on love above all else because love is what binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Why Is Love the Foundation of Everything?
It is easy to pursue the fruit of love without actually pursuing love itself. But when love is removed from the equation, even the most impressive spiritual activity will eventually fall apart. John 3:16 is the clearest example of love being the motivation behind something world-changing: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
It was not the nails that kept Jesus on the cross. It was love for you and for me. That same love is meant to be the driving force behind everything a believer does. Without it, there will be no lasting fruit.
How Do You Let the Peace of Christ Rule Your Heart?
Paul continues in Colossians 3:15-16: "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
During the Great Depression, many farmers were crushed by fear and uncertainty. But one farmer stood out. His children later said they had no idea how much pressure their Father was under because He always carried peace. He sang hymns in the fields. He taught his children the Word of God every night. When asked how he maintained such peace, he said simply: "I did not allow the pressures of life to rule my heart. I allowed the peace of Christ to rule my heart."
The question worth asking is this: what is ruling your heart right now? Is it your circumstances, or is it Christ?
What Role Does the Word of God Play in Your Daily Life?
For Christ to dwell in you richly, the Word of God has to be more than a Sunday morning experience. It needs to be a daily feast. Fathers are called to lead their families in the Word. Every believer, young or old, needs to be reading and applying Scripture throughout the week.
A lot of times we consume content all week long that pulls us toward the culture around us rather than elevating us toward the calling of God. News, entertainment, and social media can quietly shape what rules our hearts if we are not intentional about filling ourselves with truth.
What Does It Look Like to Represent Christ Wherever You Are?
Paul closes this passage in Colossians 3:17: "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."
The Holy Spirit is not confined to a church building. God's presence can and should manifest wherever He has placed you. Your workplace, your home, your neighborhood. These are all places where you are called to be a representative of Christ.
People watch what we do far more than they listen to what we say.
What Is the Connection Between Gratitude and Spiritual Maturity?
Paul mentions thankfulness three times in just three verses. And remember, he is writing from prison. Gratitude is not reserved for easy seasons. It is a mark of someone whose heart has been deeply shaped by the Word of Christ.
It is vital to understand that the deeper the Word of Christ dwells in me, the more gratitude will flow out of me.
When you truly understand what it means to be chosen, loved, forgiven, and called by God, thanksgiving stops being something you have to work at. It becomes something that flows naturally from a heart overwhelmed by grace.
Life Application
This week, choose one specific place in your life where you have been lowering yourself to the standard of the culture around you rather than rising to the standard God has called you to. It might be at work, at home, or in a relationship. Make a deliberate decision to show up as a representative of Christ in that space. Let love motivate your actions, let the peace of Christ rule your responses, and let gratitude shape your attitude even when the circumstances are hard.
Ask yourself these questions as you go into the week:
- Are the virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and forgiveness actually flowing from my life, not just on Sundays but in my home, my workplace, and my everyday interactions?
- What is currently ruling my heart? Is it my circumstances and emotions, or is it the peace of Christ?
- Am I feeding myself the Word of God throughout the week, or am I consuming content that is quietly pulling me away from who God has called me to be?
- Is there someone in my life right now who needs to see what it looks like to be chosen by God? What would it look like to show them that this week?
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