Put on the Forgiveness of Christ

Colossians instructs us that we have put on Christ, we have put on the new man.  This happened in our baptism.  Now, by the power of the Holy Spirit, by Christ in us, we are to put on the things of Christ.

And so, we are told to put on tender mercies and forgiveness.  We are to put them on.  How do we put on these things?  The Word instructs us that we are to put these on by faith.  But what does that mean? 

It means trusting God – believing Jesus – and He instructs us that the means of grace are through His Word and through the Sacraments.  This is not a magical instrument.  Just as you hear Christ in the preaching of His Word by faith, so you partake of Christ in the act of communion at this table by faith.

So you have heard Jesus, you have heard forgiveness.  Now come and partake of forgiveness; come and partake of Jesus.  But you must do all of this with faith – the gift of God, the work of His Holy Spirit.  Receive the Holy Spirit and welcome to Jesus Christ.