“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,”
– Colossians 3:12, ESV
I used to always get dressed up for Sunday church, hey– our whole family dressed in their best. “Windsor knots” and jewelry, and we looked good. I was pastoring at this time, and we felt compelled to make a statement. We were examples, after all. (But we were also idiots.)
This now seems a little ‘kooky’ living in rural Alaska. During the spring breakup, we would wear big rubber boots as we navigated the mud, and then in the church foyer we would all change into our dress shoes before we entered into the sanctuary. I admit, I’m glad that we are no longer compelled to do this.
But “dress up” is a major spiritual issue with real consequences.
Not the physical dressing, nor our preening and posturing– but spiritually, getting dressed. Paul urges us to put on our spiritual man clothing that will honor our Father. He lists the clothes in our “wardrobe”. These are the things we should put on, and be seen in. We are to cover ourselves in what really matters.
“Put on…compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience”
This is a list of items the Lord wants us to wear. If my dear wife Lynn tells me she really likes to see me in a particular sweater, I will wear it and frequently. I know she likes it on me, and I want to please her. The list just above is what the Father really wants you to wear. He wants to see you in these things.
I just want to urge you today, that you would think about your spiritual clothing. What is covering your spiritual man? What do you look like? This might mean changing your clothes and putting on something that the Father really thinks you look good in.
“Father, when will I learn to dress the inside? Help me attend to the things that really matter to You. Amen.”
Broken Believers 