What does it mean to be "holy and beloved" according to Colossians 3:12? A Fresh Identity in Christ • Colossians 3:12 opens with, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved…”. • “Elect” points to God’s gracious choice (Ephesians 1:4). • “Holy” (Greek: hagioi) means “set apart for God, distinct from common use” (1 Peter 2:9). • “Beloved” signals God’s steadfast affection (Jeremiah 31:3; Romans 5:8). • Together the words describe believers as people God has personally selected, purified, and cherished. How We Became Holy and Beloved 1. Chosen in Christ before time (Ephesians 1:4–5). 2. Cleansed by Christ’s blood (Hebrews 10:10,14). 3. Clothed in Christ’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). 4. Continually loved with an everlasting love (1 John 3:1). Practical Implications for Daily Living • Security: God’s love is not fickle (Romans 8:38–39). • Purpose: We exist to display His glory (Matthew 5:16). • Responsibility: “Put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility…” (Colossians 3:12). • Separation: We avoid what defiles because we are “set apart” (1 Thessalonians 4:7). • Assurance: Our status rests on His work, not our performance (Titus 3:5). “Put On” the Character that Matches the Title Paul lists virtues that flow from being holy and beloved: • Compassion • Kindness • Humility • Gentleness • Patience These are the spiritual “clothes” that fit our new identity (Galatians 5:22–23). Living Loved Fuels Loving Others • Knowing we are beloved frees us to forgive (Colossians 3:13). • God’s love poured into our hearts enables us to love sacrificially (Romans 5:5). • His choosing dismantles pride; His affection secures us, so we serve others joyfully (Philippians 2:1–4). Summary To be “holy and beloved” is to be set apart by God and wrapped in His unwavering love—an identity received by grace, reflected in Christlike conduct, and sustained by the assurance that nothing can separate us from His affection. |
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