“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you so you also must do.”  Colossians 3:12-13
 
As God’s elect we are to put on the new man and as a new man we have the  righteousness of God in Christ.
Vs. 12 tells us to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, longsuffering, let‘s see what we can learn of these virtues.
 
“Vine’s Expository Dictionary” says:
“ELEOS, mercy: is the outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it.”
 
By God’s mercy we are saved:
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”  Titus 3:5-6
 
“All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.”   Psalm 25:10.
 
Of the description of mercies we see that--
They are great:
Isaiah 54:7 speaks of God’s promise of Israel’s restoration.
“For a  mere moment I have forsaken you,
But with great mercies I will gather you.”
 
They are sure:
Isaiah 55:3 tells of God’s invitation to the world.
“Incline your ear, and come to Me
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you--
The sure mercies of David.”
 
They are abundant:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”  
1 Peter 1:3
 
They are tender:
Psalm 25:6-7, a Psalm of David,
“Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your loving kindnesses,
For they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.”
 
They are new every morning:
“Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:22-23
 
Because God is merciful, His children are to be merciful!  In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us,
“Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.”  Matthew 5:7
 
Oh Lord we thank you with grateful hearts for your tender mercies unto us!  By your mercies we can have peace!  It is a peace that is beyond our understanding.  How grateful that your ways are far above our ways and your thoughts above our thoughts.  All praise and glory are yours Most Holy God. 
 
So we sing:
“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing, I will sing;
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
 
With my mouth will I make known
Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness;
With my mouth will I make known
Thy faithfulness to all generations.
 
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.  
Amen