Serving Rascals, Clumsy Disciples, and Physically and Mentally Ill Believers with the Unconditional Love of Jesus Christ
– 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.
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.”
Our lives can get quite complicated. This goes for our Christian walk as well. It seems what is simple is what is lacking, and we entertain a bedlam of confused priorities and misguided principles. It seems a wonder that we are still walking with Jesus at all. The clear wisdom of the first commandment is as true as it was when it was spoken:
“You must not have any other god but me.”
Exodus 20:3, NLT
Things go quickly awry when we violate this. We get lost in anxiety, worry, ego, and envy when we seek other things before we seek the Lord. The Church in Ephesus was a blessed church. Paul seems to set them apart in his dealings and pastoral care. The letter to the Ephesians is ‘the crown jewel’ of the entire New Testament. Revelation 2 are Jesus’ words to his special ones:
“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.”
4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.”
Revelations 2:2-5
There were two sisters. Martha and Mary. Martha was the busy one, she busied herself with making a special dinner for Jesus. Mary, on the other hand, sat at Jesus’ feet and hung on every word. It so exasperated Martha that she brought her complaint to Jesus. (You can read this in Luke 10).
” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41
Below are the lyrics to a CCM song that I listened to over and over, circa 1982-83. The album is Steve Camp‘s, “Shake Me to Wake Me“, and there are several songs of reasonable significance on it. Unfortunately, I no longer have a copy, if you should find one, I’d be happy to take it off your hands. You’d make this “Jesus Freak” a happy man. Even if you can’t do YouTube, I encourage you to read these lyrics as if it were a poem.
Lyrics to “Stranger To Your Holiness,” by Steve Camp
Looks like the boy’s in trouble again
Living much too close to the edge of sin
Now he finds himself where he should not have been
Oh God, why is Your peace so hard to find
And the answer to the questions that haunt my mind
Oh Lord, Your ways are not like mineAnd it pounds like thunder within in my breast
All the anger of my humanness
And though I call You “Lord” I must confess
I’m a stranger to Your holiness, a stranger to Your holinessCan we really be what we were meant to be
Jesus’ people, living by the Spirit and living free
My heart longs to serve, but wanders so aimlessly
Oh Lord You deserve every part of meHear my cry of desperation as I see the wickedness of my ways
You alone are my salvation, and Lord I’ve learned this one thing to be true
Is that the closer I get to You, I see I’m a stranger (to Your holiness)
Don’t wanna be no stranger, and it burns like a fire…
As I follow Jesus as His simple disciple, I’m very aware of the issues that tangle me. It is like a net that drops and I get quite caught in it. But we really are asked to shake these things off. In 35 years of following Him, I find my personal sin is more clear to me then ever as I follow Him. “Ye shall be holy, for I am holy.” Lord hold me close as you continue to deal with me.
“Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. 2We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete.”
Hebrews 12:1-2, CEV
Mr. Camp reaches into places that the average Christian musician misses, and communicates relevance to all those who seek His face. This particular song has a lyrical integrity and sensitivity that makes it stellar. As I ponder the words I find myself with someone who understands me and my issues. I hope this blesses.
Broken Believers 