Yesterday in the office, I was explaining why if I’m at “work,” I always try to dress professionally. I’ve been an “extra-large” person most of my adult life. The first impression that some get when they see an “extra-large” person is that they are “fat and lazy.” So, I have always tried to dress in such a way that that is not the impression that I make. And yes, I’ll admit – my closet is way too full. Steve declares that Cracker Barrel is the most expensive restaurant that we can eat at – I LOVE their clothes!
This got me to thinking that no matter how we “dress” the outward body – what really matters is how we’re clothed on the inside. Do others see kindness in you? Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another.” Do you hold grudges? Are you clothed with compassion? “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14). Are you non-judgmental? For we know that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But we are told, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). Do you strive to step back and “live peaceably with all men?” (Romans 12:18) or do you “jump in with both feet and call someone out every time they do something that you don’t like?” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminded us that “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Isn’t that our goal?
Colossians 3:9-10 explains “seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” Notice – the new man is renewed in knowledge – we have to study God’s Word, if we want to know how “the new man” dresses. As the old “camp song” the young people used to sing goes, “The best thing in my life, I ever did do was take off the old robe and put on the new. The old robe was ragged and tattered and torn. The new robe was spotless – had never been worn. The best thing in my life I ever did do – was take off the old robe and put on the new.”
Are you clothed in the spirit of Christ? Do others see Christ living in you? That’s one fashion that will always fit and never go out of style! Simply blessed, Courtney