New clothes for a New Man: Part 2
New clothes for a New Man: Part 2
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Colossians 3:12
Those of us that are fortunate enough to have a dwelling (home) to live in usually have a place in our homes where we keep our clothing (closet). If the clothes were not given to us, it is plausible that you or someone purchased them for you.
Our good and gracious God and our Lord Jesus Christ purchased us as His precious and prized possession, provided a perpetual new position (relationally with God) and placed His righteousness on us and in us as well as blessed us with riches that are incomparable from anything the world has to offer.
1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him
2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
In addition, the Master (The Lord God) made us clothing that was made by Christ and not China! And He calls us to put them on all day and every day and not just on Sunday! The clothing for the new man is recorded in Colossians 3:12-15. Let’s consider them and commit to clothe ourselves in them and thereby look like our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, in a culture that needs to witness the wardrobe of the one who made the world.
Paul challenges us as children of God to be decisive in the way you dress! As you recall, he called us to remove and discard what I refer to as RAGS of Rebellion- (anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, and lying) in Colossians 3:8-9 and put on the divine designer clothing of compassion that is heavenly (heartfelt vs fleshly), kindness (benevolence in action), humility (a humble head and heart toward God), gentleness/meekness (a humble head and heart toward others), and patience (self-restraint), specifically when you are being showered by a steady storm of aggravation and frustration.
Furthermore, we are to put on forbearance which is a bear to do but in Christ we can do all things AMEN! It basically means to “put up with each other”. This is a call for you to take from a TREASURE CHEST OF TOLERANCE. That is, tolerance that traces back to the Lord and tracks with the Lord’s truth and not this man centered tolerance being advanced today which calls us to accept all actions without accountability. According to the Webster 1828 dictionary, the law of love tolerates no vice and patronizes every virtue.
Also, there is an additional piece of clothing called forgiveness. It gives us the ability to forgive whatever grievances (complaints) that we possibly have against others. By what means? By forgiving as the Lord forgave us (Eph. 4:32). GET AWAY FROM THE GRIP OF GRUDGES. Grudges should not be a stronghold in a child of God’s (the new man) life because it will lead you back to the RAGS of the old man. Now, the clothing of charity is of the utmost importance and is the supernatural glue that is essential for oneness in the body of Christ. It is the Lord’s love that locks and secures everything together for the saint.
Finally, we are called to put on the piece of clothing called peace. Which is provided by the Prince of Peace. Please ponder this final thought: you will not R.I.P (Rest in peace) if you don’t have and don’t personally know the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ the Lord and only Savior.
Not a sermon, just some thoughts.
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR