Do your clothes fit?

 

Pretty much everyone I know puts on some kind of clothes, every day.  For many of us, we have walk-in closets and bureau drawers full to the overflowing.  And, at that, a lot of our clothes don’t even fit.

Colossians 3:12,13 speaks of clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; with the addition of  putting  up with each other, and forgiving one another.   It ends with the overcoat: “and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”(v. 14)

Do I even have these clothes in my closet? 

Paul finishes the entire section by stating:

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Col. 3:17)

Admittedly, this summary gives me pause, as I consider that I have often acted too hastily, spoken too harshly. But it also gives me encouragement. Because my words and my deeds are ‘in the name of the Lord Jesus,’ I can speak and I can act in His power and by His mercy. This clothing is, essentially, “putting on Christ,” (Romans 13:14). In doing so, with a thankful heart, it means that what seems downright impossible is entirely feasible. If I am willing to raid my closet, there is a lot of clothing that needs to go: the glittery cloaks of pride and arrogance; of bad temper and rough words; of impatience and an unforgiving heart.

 Being clothed with Christ is so much more fitting.