Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Colossians 3:10
When I first started attending church, I didn’t feel worthy to be there. I wan’t perfect — not even close! I often went out drinking and doing drugs. But for some reason I would try to attend church from time to time – not regularly, but I tried. I thought I was looking for Jesus, but actually He was calling ME. Colossians 3:12 says, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” The first part of that verse says he chose me! And it further says He chose me to be the holy person He loves. In my own right, I’m not worthy, but in His eyes, I am. I am loved! He is calling you too. Have you answered?
Once we are ready to receive God’s love, the Holy Spirit will fill us with those qualities mentioned in the rest of Colossians 3:12. We won’t become instantly loving, merciful, kind, humble, gentle and patient. It will still take a lot of effort every day, but if we recognize that we are loved by God, it will be easier to try. And as important as it is to practice these qualities on others, it is just as important to practice them on ourselves. We need to remember to envelop ourselves in God’s mercy and to let go of our feelings of unworthiness to serve Him. God has shown mercy on us, so we need to let our past regrets and sins go. We mustn’t look back, we must look forward with the hope of what we can accomplish in the future.
If we don’t feel as though we are living up to God’s standards at the moment, we should not stop trying. We must keep pursuing God and getting to know Him better. As we do, 2 Corinthians 5:17 will become a reality in our lives. As we allow God to renew and change us, our old lives will fade away; and our new lives will begin! We still won’t be perfect, but we will be where we need to be. Receive God’s love and everything will fall into place.