Discover His heart: He has chosen us to be His holy people and expects us to act and look the part.
“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” Mark Twain’s words seem to span the generations – now that’s a good writer! Naked people may make an impression, but it’s not the right one to make. Clothes make the man, dress for success and similar prevailing thoughts have generated a multi-billion dollar clothing industry. The movers and shakers of our day proudly wear their labels – Gucci, Versace, Karan, Coach and Jimmy Choo – and they have paid dearly for them. At one time I was involved in this industry, a real clothes horse as they say, but I changed my focus many years ago to a more eternal line of clothing. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the feel of great fabric and a well-made garment, but really, one day, moths will eat them all!
@ Colossians 3
“Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (13) Paul was encouraging those who came to Christ to go ahead and get a new wardrobe, and who doesn’t like that idea. It’s a matter of trading the old clothes of selfishness, anger, pride and impatience for mercy and kindness and the other fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 4).
Layer them on and let them be the new you, and forgive everyone in the process. Talk about the ultimate makeover! And after we’ve worn our new duds for a while, it doesn’t hurt to go through our clothes occasionally and see what needs to be replaced. Sometimes we slip back into those old clothes of the past, thinking they’re still acceptable, and we discover in the process a little unforgiveness, pride or unkindness. Allowing the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts will keep us spiritually dressed for success.
Then, just to complete the ensemble, “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” (14) Protect all that new fine clothing with a big beautiful coat of love, and we will live in harmony with one another and show ourselves to be “the holy people He loves.” These clothes really do make the man or woman!
I would be remiss if I failed to mention that additional clothing will be needed – an entire suit of armor, but that’s a topic for another day @Ephesians 6.
Moving Forward: I’m dressing for success today, examining my wardrobe and making sure it will show me to be the holy woman He loves and has chosen me to be.
Tomorrow @ Leviticus 16-18
Phyllis Benigas 