So put all evil things out of your life: sexual sinning, doing evil, letting evil thoughts control you, wanting things that are evil, and greed. This is really serving a false god. These things make God angry. In your past, evil life you also did these things. Colossians 3:5-7 NCV
When you go to get dressed for the day, how long does it take? Do you have trouble deciding what to wear? Does it depend on what is easiest to put together? Are you like me and you choose what is most slimming, lol? We want to look good, don’t we? We dress ourselves spiritually too. Colossians 3 opened my eyes to that fact.
As I read Colossians 3 this morning, I was struck by the way Paul describes our coming to Christ. He describes our ‘dying’ to self and getting rid of sinful things that represent who we are and then reaching for the righteous things that represent Christ’s character. That makes sense!
Some examples Paul mentions, that we need to die to, are sexual sins, evil passions and desires, and covetousness. That is not unlike getting undressed and re-dressing, is it? So now, as Christians, we want to figuratively dress ourselves to project a new, righteous image of Christ. This begs the questions…
What exactly do we want to clothe ourselves with, spiritually-speaking? and How do we do that?
Paul tells us!
But now also put these things out of your life: anger, bad temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and using evil words when you talk. Do not lie to each other. You have left your old sinful life and the things you did before. Colossians 3:8-9 NCV
Paul reminds us to put off these things and then he tells us what to put ON! (Thanks, Paul!)
God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So you should always clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13 NCV
Colossians 3 is chock-full of amazing advice, so I have to show you one more verse, perhaps the most important one yet…
Colossians 3:14 says: Even more than all this, clothe yourself in love. Love is what holds you all together in perfect unity.
I have found this verse to so especially true and helpful in the past year. God has taught me to love unconditionally. The Holy Spirit nudged me the other day when I started to complain about someone. In my heart, I instantly said, “Thank You, Holy Spirit, because I do not want to be like that.” We get to CHOOSE what we want to look like and be like. If we want to look like Christ, we must do the things He did and love like He did. We must put on spiritual qualities and desires after shedding our sinful clothes.
Just a note…dressing in righteousness is an ongoing process. If we dress in the wrong thing, the Holy Spirit will let us know! Just remember…it matters what you say and do every day. We are God’s ambassadors to a needy world. Love all you can today!
Have a great Monday! Sorry this is late. Migraine came to visit and stayed awhile,lol! Love and appreciate you all!…Tina
Glory in the Morning 