A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Clothe Yourselves With..."

It is amazing how much time and money we spend on our appearances. We want to look good and in style so we can make a good impression. It is a well know fact that clothing conveys a great deal about a person. Before a word is every spoken, before anything is done, before we even get to know someone on the most basic level, we size them up by what they are wearing. A person's age, social status, financial position, attitude, ethnicity, personality, and area of residence are but a few of the things conveyed simply by clothes a person wears. Whether we like it or not, clothes do reveal a great deal about us and make a powerful impression upon others.

Scripture directs God's people to clothe themselves in a very specific way. Hold on, don't stop reading yet. This isn't what you might think. Though Christians should take care choosing the clothes they wear, there is something even more crucial. Scripture charges us, "as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." (Colossians 3:12) All of these things are about character, about "being." Yet, we are told to "clothe" ourselves with these things. Why use the word clothe in this context? Because "clothing" reveals a great deal about who we are. The outward reveals inward realities. Our clothing, our outward appearance, is to reveal our inward compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Therefore, those whom we come in contact, those whom we touch, are see our character. Holiness is the impression our lives are to make. These are what a holy people, who are dearly loved by God, want to convey to those around them.

We cannot create this type of character. It is the fruit of the indwelling Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Nevertheless, we are told to "clothe" ourselves. This is our responsibility. Contradiction? No. God graciously imparts His Character, His Disposition, but it is our responsibility to draw upon His gift and nurture the disposition so that it pervades every aspect of our lives. It's not about personality. It's not about environmental factors. It's about His abiding Spirit and our drawing upon His fruit. He gives us the clothes and we clothe ourselves with what He has given.

Many hours are spent standing in front of mirrors making sure that we look good. It's time for God's people to look at themselves next to Christ Jesus. It's time for us to set our hearts on the things above, not on earthly things, having our lives hidden in Christ Jesus (Colossians 3:1-2) so that we are clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Beloved, let's be sure that we are clothed with the robe of righteousness. Only then can we have the confidence that the mark we leave upon those we meet is our compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience our Christlikeness. What other impression would we ever want to leave?

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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