GROW IN GRACE: Extending Grace

 January 13, 2026

Colossians 3:12-14

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.



Growing in grace is not simply about receiving God’s kindness, it is about allowing that unmerited kindness to reshape how we see, speak to, and treat the people around us. Paul’s words in Colossians 3:12–14 remind us that grace is not lifeless. It is a way of life, an attitude of the heart, and an intentional daily choice.

In these passages, the Apostle Paul refers to believers as “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.” He first reminds us of our identity before explaining how we should respond to the Grace we have received. Recognizing that we are cherished, loved, forgiven, and embraced by God allows us the freedom to share that love with others.

What the Apostle is teaching in these verses is that the liberty of grace results in you and me being clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. In other words, we become living reflections of Christ’s character. These virtues, say our verses above, are the everyday garments of a grace-shaped life.

Did you notice how far the apostle Paul takes the application of this truth? When relationships become strained, when misunderstandings arise, or when someone disappoints us, Paul invites us to “bear with one another and forgive one another.” You see, Grace is not naïve; it is courageous. Grace embraces mercy over resentment, seeks understanding over assumption, and pursues reconciliation over withdrawal.

Above all, Paul says, “put on love.” Love is the “thread that holds every other virtue together.” What I have learned and discovered is that without love, grace becomes duty. With love, grace becomes joy.

Growing in grace means allowing God’s love to soften our reactions, expand our patience, and to deepen our compassion. We might say it like this: growing in grace means choosing to see others not by their flaws, but through the lens of God’s mercy.


Let’s Pray

God, thank You for the grace You have poured into my life, grace I could never earn and can never repay. Shape my heart to reflect Yours, and teach me to extend grace freely, generously, and joyfully. Clothe me with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and above all, May Your love be the strong tie that unites all my relationships. Amen.