Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. – Colossians 3:12 NLT
Have you ever had a significant event or meeting you were preparing to attend? Or, found yourself standing in the middle of your closet wondering what to wear? Honestly, most of us find ourselves in this situation each morning as we prepare for the day.
We can tell a lot about people based on the kinds of clothes they wear.
Often our clothes reflect our status, our values, or even our jobs. For instance, it’s easy to distinguish a police officer from a business person or a medical technician based on the clothes they are wearing. Moreover, our personal fashion sense often makes a statement about who we are.
While what we wear doesn’t define us, it can speak volumes.
The Bible often uses the imagery of clothing to describe different aspects of our character and the Godly virtues we should clothe ourselves with daily. Just like today’s verse encourages us to wear the qualities that reflect the heart of God, I think it’s equally important to understand what not to wear.
Colossians 3:1-11 encourages us to get rid of, or take off, sinful behavior like anger, rage, lust, malice, slander, foul language, and lies. In verse nine, Paul says that we have stripped off our old sinful nature with all its wicked deeds. I am reminded of the saying, “Out with the old, and in with the new.”
Today’s Scripture lays our new clothes out for us. In it, we are told to clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. This is the uniform of the Christian. These are the qualities and virtues that reflect who we are as children of God.
These clothes look good for every occasion!
In addition to these excellent articles of clothing, we must never forget the most critical addition to our wardrobe. We are to put on Jesus Christ Himself! Galatians 3:27 says, “And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes” (NLT). Trying to wear Christian clothes without Christ is like wearing a police uniform without a badge. Our relationship with Jesus is the most critical piece of our lives.
When you get ready tomorrow morning, think about what you’re truly putting on. Are you wearing the character of Christ? Make it your aim to look more like Jesus when you walk out your door.
Dig Deeper:
- Which one of the items listed in today’s verse do you struggle with wearing the most?
- What’s one thing you can put on this week to look more like Jesus?
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