Chosen And Dearly Loved | Wes Hodgson

This powerful teaching from Colossians 3:12-14 reminds us that our identity in Christ precedes our actions. We're called God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved—not because of what we do, but because of who we are in Him. Just as a parent loves their newborn child immediately and unconditionally, God adopts us into His family the moment we place our faith in Jesus. This foundational truth changes everything about how we approach Christian living. We're not striving to earn God's approval through compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Instead, we receive God's approval and let it transform our actions. The passage calls us to three deliberate choices: clothe ourselves in these virtues, bear with and forgive one another, and put on love above all else. These aren't suggestions—they're commands that require intentionality. We won't always feel like being patient or kind, but we must choose to put them on like clothing each day. The teaching challenges us to love the actual community around us rather than our dream of a perfect community. When we embrace real people with their flaws and frustrations, when we forgive as Christ forgave us, we build authentic relationships that reflect God's kingdom.