Colossians Chapter 3 verse 12 (NIV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Romans Chapter 13 verse 14 (NIV)
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh
Initially the phrase that caught my attention in this sentence was the fact that Paul called the Colossian church God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved. It reminded me that’s how God sees the church today too, and we need to remember that and conduct ourself in a manner that reflects that description. That’s why Paul goes on to tell them how they should be behaving.
Later in the morning, I walked out to the end of my front path to wait on my lift to church and my neighbour from number 2, who’d been out for a walk, came over for a chat. We lamented the poor weather over the last few months, and the fact that we felt we’d been wearing the same clothes all year. No changing into lovely summer things, and the cardigans and jumpers always close at hand. That got me thinking. Paul told the Colossians to clothe themselves with the characteristic behaviour of Jesus. He expected them to wear those daily. We may not like to wear the same clothing all the time but we should always put on the characteristics of Christ every day. Indeed, Paul told the Roman church to clothe themselves with Christ.
We choose what to wear every day. Some people give a lot more thought than others about what they wear and how they look, but it’s a personal choice. We too can make a choice about what we choose to wear spiritually. Do we choose to clothe ourselves the way that Paul teaches, or do we decide to cast them aside and put on our own emotions and behaviours? We might get fed up wearing our woolly jumpers, but we should never tire of clothing ourselves with Christ – He is after all, altogether lovely!
Dear Lord,
I am humbled to be considered chosen and dearly loved by You. I should therefore always desire to emulate and live like Jesus. Paul has reminded me of the importance of putting on the characteristics of Christ. Help me to make that choice daily. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.