In The Margins

Put On the New Self

Colossians 3:12–17

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdomthrough psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Imagine walking the streets of London and spotting the Queen of England—robe, crown, and all—diving into a dumpster. She pulls out a pile of old, dirty clothes and puts them on over her royal garments. Sounds ridiculous, right?
Yet that’s exactly what we do when, as followers of Jesus, we put on the “old clothes” of our sinful nature instead of living in the new identity He’s given us.

Paul reminds us in Colossians 3 that as people who belong to Christ, we’ve already been “clothed” with righteousness and grace. Now, he urges us to live out who we truly are.

1. Reflect the Heart of Your Father

Paul lists qualities that we’re to “put on”: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. These aren’t just random virtues—they describe God’s heart. Over and over in Scripture, we see that the Lord is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.”

When we put on these traits, we become a reflection of Him. Following Jesus isn’t just about believing the right things; it’s about becoming like Him. As His representatives, our conduct communicates His character.
If someone only knew Jesus through how you live, what would they think He’s like? Would they see compassion, kindness, and grace—or something else?

2. Live for the Good of the Church

When you follow Christ, you don’t walk alone—you join a family. Paul calls us to love one another deeply, because love holds everything together. Love is the reason we forgive, show patience, and live humbly.

He also says the peace of Christ should rule in our hearts. That peace isn’t just internal; it’s relational. We’re called to unity, not division—to grace, not grudges. So ask yourself: am I creating peace in my friendships and community, or am I feeding tension and exclusion?

Finally, Paul says the Word of Christ should “dwell richly” among us. God’s Word should saturate our hearts and conversations so deeply that it shapes how we encourage, challenge, and counsel one another. True Christian community loves deeply and holds one another accountable in love.

3. Do Everything in His Name

Paul closes with a simple but powerful truth: “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Whether it’s how you talk to friends, how you post online, or how you compete on the field—everything you do represents Jesus.

But don’t miss this: you’re not striving for perfection to earn His love. You’re already loved. You’re already His.
Because you are chosen and deeply loved by God, you can put off the old self and joyfully put on the new one—living out the identity that’s already yours in Christ.

Reflective Questions:

-What “old clothes” (attitudes, habits, or patterns) are you still trying to wear that don’t reflect who you are in Christ?

-Which of the traits in Colossians 3—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness—do you most need to “put on” right now?

-How can you better reflect God’s heart to your friends, family, or teammates this week?

Further reading and study: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21