Well Dressed
“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12. (NIV)
My two oldest granddaughters Julia (10) and Caroline (8) were out of school for Fall break last week. I picked them up early Friday morning and we headed to the Big Oak Girls’ Ranch to work in the food pantry. It was a beautiful crisp fall morning with the trees just beginning to change their colors as our days shorten and the temperatures drop. From the back seat, the girls chatted excitedly about this week’s birthday plans for their youngest sister. Julia also gave me a quick lesson on the importance of chlorophyll! Our driving time together gave me just a glimpse into their lives and world.
Arriving at The Shed, we quickly joined the other Big Oak Auxiliary volunteers who were already busy organizing and shelving groceries. Julia and Caroline jumped right in and 90 minutes later we were ready to grab a mid-morning breakfast at Chick-Fil-A and shop for some new fall clothes.
The Bible actually says a lot about clothes beginning in the Garden (Genesis 3:7,21). Following their disobedience and sin, Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. God graciously made them garments to cover them properly before he banished them from the Garden.
The New Testament writers also give us insight into what attire is appropriate for those who profess Christ. Paul tells us to “clothe ourselves with Christ”(Romans 13:14) and “put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12) Peter instructs women to adorn themselves “with the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.” (1 Peter 3:4)
Paul’s words to the Colossians, however, perhaps give us the best description of what a well- dressed Christian should wear. After exhorting these new believers to put off anger, malice, lying, and a host of other sins (Colossians 3:5-9), Paul encourages the Colossians to clothe themselves with:
Compassion
Kindness
Humility
Gentleness
Patience
Personally, it’s easy for me to quickly scan Paul’s list without considering what each wardrobe item really looks like. It’s much harder when I consider what the opposite trait is and ask:
Am I compassionate or unsympathetic?
Am I kind or cruel?
Am I humble or proud?
Am I gentle or harsh?
Am I patient or impatient?
Considering those questions, I honestly have to admit that all too often I’m unsympathetic, unkind, proud, harsh, and impatient with others.
Paul isn’t finished with his Colossians best-dressed Christian clothing list, however. He adds five more essentials:
Forbearance
Forgiveness
Love
Peace
Gratitude
Thankfully God never leaves us to ourselves. He has given us his Holy Spirit to help us change our clothes. As we put off pride, impatience, and unforgiving hearts, God’s Holy Spirit empowers us to clothe ourselves with humility, patience, and forgiveness. Each wardrobe essential on Paul’s well-dressed Christian list is completely countercultural to today’s highly secularized and cancel culture that worships self. Paul’s wardrobe is “other” centered, not self-centered.
A leading credit card company has a four-word question- “What’s in your wallet?”- featured in all of its advertising campaigns. What if each of us asked ourselves today, “What’s in my wardrobe?” Most of us would probably find that we need some new clothes.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12
Let’s remember who we are, whose we are, and who we represent. We are God’s chosen, holy and dearly loved people. By his grace, God has clothed us with Christ and given us his power to put off our old self and put on our new clothes.
What’s in your wardrobe?