I find writing on a given subject goes rather smoothly, but am sometimes challenged to come up with a subject. This morning a grandson’s conversation had the term “bowels of mercies” running through my head. The phrase appears 11 times in the KJV, but most notably (at least to me) in Colossians 3:12:
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;…
I love the following illustration, especially, in light of the acrimoniousness of today’s political and theological discourse! I think it stands in place of anything I could write on the matter. ~Pastor Scott
A true Christian is like the lily which stings no one, and yet he lives among those who are full of sharpness. He aims to please, and not to provoke, and yet he lives among those whose existence is a standing menace. The thorn tears and lacerates: it is all armed from its root to its topmost branch, defying all comers. But there stands the lily, smiling, not defying; charming, and not harming. Such is the real Christian, holy, harmless, full of love and gentleness and tenderness. Therein lieth his excellence. Who would not stop and turn aside to see a lily among thorns, and think he reads a promise from his God to comfort him amid distress? Such is a true Christian: he is a consolation in his family, a comfort in his neighbourhood, an ornament to his profession, and a benediction to his age. He is all tenderness and gentleness, and yet it may be he lives among the envious, the malicious, and the profane, a lily among thorns. The thorn saith, “Keep away; no one shall touch me with impunity.” The lily cries, “I come to you, I shed my soul abroad to please you.”
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; please you.” (Col 3:12 NASB1995)
And speaking of “bowels* of mercy”, this a good article:
https://telosblog.com/the-sacred-spleen-of-jesus/
*Paul technically used the Greek word for “spleen”.
Grace Notes 