DRESSED TO LIVE

One of the interesting aspects about traveling around the world is the ability to see how
people of different countries dress. From nation to nation there is uniqueness to how the
people dress. It is because of their clothing that we often recognize the citizens from
different countries. Their clothing makes a statement. Whether we realize it or not, what
we wear represents our citizenship. This same truth applies to God’s Church.

Eph 2:11-13
Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh — who are called
Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands — 12 that
at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and
strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the
blood of Christ. NKJV

Now we are aliens to this world and citizens of the Kingdom of God. So how should a
child of God dress? When anyone first hears this question their thought turns to what
type of garments do we clothe ourselves in. However, a more compelling aspect of this
question is not about our outward adornment, but it is about the adornment of the heart.

Col 3:1-17
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is,
sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the
earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is
our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death
your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming
upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in
them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the
old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew,
circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and
in all. 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies,
kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving
one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so
you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of
perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called
in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. NKJV

Take off and put on are words translated from the Greek that refers to the process of
robing or disrobing clothing. There are things that we as Christians need to disrobe
ourselves of, such as anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of our mouth
and lying. Why is this so important? As I stated earlier our clothing or how we are
adorned represents citizenship to the nation we belong. How we clothe our character is a
direct reflection of who we represent, Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. This is of
grave importance because the only way this world will see Jesus is through His people.

So how are we to dress? Paul continues to write, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one
another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as
Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

However Paul does not stop there, he goes on to say that above all these things put on
love, Why love? He tells us it is the bond of perfection. The word ‘bond’ comes from
the Greek word sundesmos and it comes from the idea of a joint or ligament that ties
together (bonds) (Strong’s). Without the joint or ligament the arm or leg would not bend
or work the way they were designed. The word perfection is better translated as complete,
completeness or maturity (Strong’s).

Love is what beings us to completeness and maturity. It is the joint or ligament that
makes tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one
another, and forgiving one another, work the way they were designed. So, how do we get
to that point? We let the word of God dwell in us richly as it teaches and admonishes us
as to how to dress and in what to dress. For it is the word of God that will work mightily
in us, if we will plant it in our heart. How? God looks over His Word and it shall not
return void (Isa. 55:11).

This is our prayer for you.

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great
Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you
complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His
sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Heb 13:20-21

Love and blessings to all,

In His Service,

Dr. Rod and Maggie

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All scripture references are taken from the New King James Version
unless stated otherwise