God Clothes

Col. 3:12-14  So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline (patience)...And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.  It's your basic all-purpose garment.  Never be without it. (MSG)

What we wear says a lot about us.  You might say it offers others a glimpse of who we are.  We dress a certain way for a job interview, to go to work and even to play.  Always being careful to dress so as to convey the appropriate message for whatever the occasion.  Our wardrobe is our witness.

As Christians, we have a special God-picked wardrobe.  Our God clothes.  These attributes of compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength (meekness) and discipline (patience) convey and confirm to others that we have indeed been chosen by God to live out a new life of love.  If we are so careful to put on earthly clothes that define us as people, how much more then should we be concerned about the clothes we put on or "wear" that define us as believers?  When others look at our lives, do they see our God clothes?  I guarantee that by wearing what He has selected for us, we will not only stand out but will have quite an impact on those around us.

Understand, however, that we can still opt to wear something else.  Indifference instead of compassion, cruelty instead of kindness, pride instead of humility, arrogance instead of quiet strength and impatience instead of discipline.  And sometimes, regrettably we do.  But fortunately, when that happens, we can always repent, go back and dress again.  Just think about how many times in the course of a single day we are given the choice of what to "wear" and the opportunity to offer others a glimpse into the life of a sincere Christian. 

There is one garment in particular we are told never to be without.  Love.  After all, that's who He is.  And He is who we are to represent.  The garment of love is not to be worn only on special occasions but rather worn every day.  It will never wear out or be ill-fitting and will always be appropriate and in style.

So as we set out to face each day, may we be mindful of what we choose to wear.  May it always be something from our God-picked wardrobe.  Our God clothes.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Our wardrobe is our witness.

Such Great Faith

Lk. 7:9  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" (NIV)

Jesus was approached by the Jewish elders.  They were sent (out of respect) by a Roman centurion whose servant was near death.  The elders, in their efforts to persuade Jesus to visit the centurion's home, pointed out that this particular Roman was a friend of the Jews (unlike most Romans) and had even built them a synagogue.  Because of this work, they reasoned, he deserved (v.4) a favor, a healing for his servant.  He was worthy.  It was almost as if the elders were suggesting that Jesus was somehow indebted to this centurion.

So, Jesus went with them.  But before He actually got to the house and the sick servant, He received a message from the centurion that we are told caused Him to marvel at the man.  Other translations say Jesus admired him and was taken back by him.  Exactly what was it that Jesus could determine about him?

First, he recognized the authority of Jesus (v.8).  The centurion knew with absolute certainty that Jesus' words would be spoken and His will would be done (v.7).  Great confidence produces great faith.  Second, he recognized his own unworthiness (v.6).  He realized that nothing he could ever do on his own would make him deserving of God's favor and blessing.  You see, it wasn't a matter of deserving but rather one of believing.  Humility accompanied his faith and, as a result, Jesus was moved to heal the servant.

Is it possible for God to marvel at us in the same way today?  Yes.  If, in humility, we have the same faith borne out of absolute, unwavering confidence and conviction in His authority, should we not expect the same results?  God will marvel and God will move when He sees such great faith!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  It isn't a matter of deserving but rather of believing.