“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is… Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry… In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator…
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:1-5,7-10,12-17
Paul brought the truth of salvation to practical application for the Colossian church. They were growing with individuals who were indeed new creations, yet former practices clung. He saw it necessary to name their habits that keep them from living fully for Christ and unity with each other. Every garment listed to put off is fashioned to please self, while every one listed to put on necessitates preferring others. They needed a new wardrobe.
Revamping the wardrobe begins with revamping the mind. In our selfie-crazed culture, so much of life is focused on self: self-promotion, self-protection, self-care, self-esteem, self-defense. We live and breathe for our passions and preferences within our parameters by our power. But life in Christ is an exchanged life. He frees us to no longer dwell on ourselves but be captivated with Him and His kingdom. He enables us to insert ‘others’ for every ‘self’-absorption, training us to upbuild, protect, care for, esteem, and defend those around us. By grace, He daily transforms and renews our minds in truth. (Romans 12:2-18)
If I have been hidden in Christ in salvation, my actions and character should reflect His. Would that the cameras of our souls refocused others! Would that we did everything in the name of the Lord!
What is earthly in me? What motives drive the choices I make? Identifying and confessing particular pride, prurience, and wayward passions will prepare me to don new and holy garments. Where can I exchange idolatry for preferring another in love, anger for meekness, malice for forgiveness, greed for generosity, dishonesty for truth? Taking account of my daily wardrobe, clearing out and fitting on Christ-like adornment, promotes sanctification and blesses the church.
“Changed from glory into glory
Till in Heav’n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise!” ~Charles Wesley (1747)
So be it, Lord. Amen.
As the rain and snow 