Paul has just instructed the faith community to put away their former life and to clothe themselves with their new self. This renewed, restored way of being is what he then describes in our reading for today. So much of the way we see people (including ourselves, sometimes!) interacting in the world goes against what Paul is advising. He is commending truthfulness, an appropriate response to righteous anger, and speaking only what is useful in building others up. He advises kindness, tenderheartedness, forgiveness, and living a life of sacrificial love like Jesus did.
Especially with social media, talk radio, and the 24-hour news cycle, it is easy to fall into the habits of our old selves – vilifying, knocking down, demonizing, striking out, name-calling – and thinking these behaviors are normal or justified. In what situations do you find yourself acting in ways that do not live up to the standards Paul uses in this reading? Who are the people that you struggle to be kind or tenderhearted or forgiving towards? How might it affect the way you respond to these people if you considered your thoughts, words, and actions to be a ‘fragrant offering and sacrifice to God’ (5:2)?
Today in prayer, ask for the Spirit to infuse you with a desire to imitate Christ in all you think, do, and say.
