New Clothes

Colossians 3:12, 14 (NLT) Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

“The clothes make the man.” You may have heard this saying and the world is more than willing to give us fashion choices each new year. Fads change (and never quite fit every body type) and what was hot is soon not. When we look to the world for our identity – we often can't keep up and usually don’t measure up or fit the identities they are trying to sell us. (James 1:8, 3:6, 4:8 (NLT)) Song to Encourage

Another thought to consider, is the world is willing to lie to us about who we are. I personally have been told to put on the clothes of someone who I am not. “You are too dumb, your looks are only worth what pleases others, you are too weak,” these are some of the many opinions people have had about who I am at different seasons of my life thus far…and they all have missed the mark. I would like to think that I never really thought they were right, but when you hear the lies so often, you wonder, “so many people are saying the same things, how can all those people be wrong? I must be the one who is wrong.” I’m discovering that what was/is wrong, is with whom I was surrounding myself. What was wrong, were the experiences I was not protected from as a child and the skills I was not given to defend myself. Song to Encourage

The lies of the world also are willing to give us (after they accuse us of being someone we are not) clothes of fear, anger, bitterness, sorrow, anxiety…you name the hurtful emotion, the world has plenty to give! That’s why the verse in Colossians (3:12, 14) is such a strengthening reminder of God’s love – he chose us and loves us and has clothes that aren’t itchy, binding or uncomfortable - they always fit right and protect from the lies of the world (Ephesians 6: 10-17). All I need to do is choose to put them on daily.  Song to Keep Moving

Isaiah 61:2b, 3a (NLT) …to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

Romans 13:14 (NLT) Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

1 Peter 3:3-5 (NLT) Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.