Paul's positive vision of Christian transformation in community is incredibly attractive—and incredibly hard. Qualities like meekness, patience and forbearance are not natural to us, nor are forgiveness, sacrificial love, peace, admonishing one another, and thankfulness. It is possible, however, to "put on" these qualities because of what Christ has done: choosing us, making us holy and beloved, forgiving us, ruling us with his peace and empowering us to give thanks.
