The days are cooler, squirrels are hiding walnuts, and a kaleidoscope of brightly colored leaves are drifting gently to the ground. The seasons are changing.
And so must the contents of my closet! The lightweight cottons of summer will not protect my body from the cold temperatures to come. They are no longer appropriate. I must exchange them for more suitable attire.
As I rummage through my closet, I’m struck by the idea that clothes are often more than mere coverings protecting our bodies. We often select our clothes with an image in mind, one we want to project, one we want others to see and take note of. One that distinguishes us, gives us dignity. One that represents who we are.
Our Creator is concerned about our attire as well, as it relates to our spiritual status and character. The amazing thing is, He provides all the clothes we need - at no cost to us! The Bible is full of references of His gifts of clothing.
The first gift of clothing mentioned in the Bible was to Adam and Eve, who hid from God in shame after they followed their own desires rather than obey God. Yet God lovingly covered their guilt and ushered in a plan to bestow on them - and us - “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Isaiah 61:3c
God’s plan was to exchange our destiny (death) with His own Son’s (eternal life). Laying our sins onto Jesus and allowing Him to die in our place, while positionally laying on us His righteousness so that when God looks at us, He sees His Son. Our old sin nature is exchanged for Christ’s character and as we submit to His will and the work of the Holy Spirit, we grow experientially to be more like Him. The result of God sacrificing His own Son was that “He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness”. Isaiah 61:10b. New clothes reflecting a new identity.
So, we have these beautiful garments and robes in our closet … how are we to wear them? They won’t do any good if I leave them hanging there (as I do with many of my physical clothes), and keep wearing the same old, shabby, comfortable ones.
With the help of God’s Spirit now living in us, we’re to choose to put them on … daily!
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Col 3:12-14
And what’s the purpose of donning these new clothes? It’s not so we look pretty, or to take pride in our appearance. It’s to reveal Jesus to others - His Person, status, His character to a world that desperately needs Him. We are to live so that, “All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people God has blessed.” Isaiah 61:9b
We were purchased by Him. We are being transformed by Him. Let us wear His clothes to reflect His image and glorify Him!
- Kathi Fritz
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