PUTTING ON CHRIST

Colossians 3:12-27

For ten years, fashion consultants, Stacy London and Clinton Kelly, helped people change their lives by changing what they wore on the TLC program, “What Not to Wear.” The participants were required to bring in their clothing which the hosts of the show went through and threw out all the items of clothing that didn’t belong in their new wardrobe.

Galatians 3:27 tells us that when we are baptized we put on Christ. So, the question today is, what belongs in our spiritual wardrobe and what doesn’t?

MESSAGE

If you went to your closet and picked out an outfit that describes who you are today, what would it be?

Maybe like me, you’ve got clothing that you’ve kept too long. Maybe it doesn’t fit anymore. Perhaps you look at it and wonder, “Why did I ever buy that” or maybe you’ve held on to it for sentimental reasons or are hoping it will come back into style.

Stacy and Clinton and many others would advice us to get rid of those pieces so we’re wearing something that reflects who we are.

When we are baptized, we are baptized in Christ, and as it tells us in Romans 13:12-14. we “put” on Christ. So, if we’re living a Christ-like life, is it reflected in everything we do?

One of the reasons Stacy and Clinton took away people’s old clothing was so they could develop new style habits and make changes in their life.

When we are baptized in Christ and put on Christ, we lay aside those habits and behaviors that are unloving, selfish and harmful to ourselves and others. (cf. Romans 13:12-14) Those old behaviors don’t belong in our Christian wardrobe.

Because we are chosen and loved by God, we are called to live out Christ-like characteristics in our lives:

12  … clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; each and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17

More than once, after I’ve purged my closet, I will retrieve items from my “give away” pile when I really need to let them go. A lot of times its because they’re comfortable and familiar like old habits.

And some of my old habits and behaviors are sometimes just as hard to let go of.

Kenneth Blanchard talks about “excellence in the moment.” It ‘s about intentionally living our life, to start as we intend to end. John Wesley suggested three simple rules that we can use to maintain our spiritual wardrobe.

1. Do no harm.

2. Do good.

3. Stay connected with God.

In my experience, the third rule, stay connected to God, is the most important one. If we can that, intentionally doing no harm and doing good becomes more and more natural.

Putting on Christ, that is reflecting Christ in our lives, requires an intentional relationship with God through Christ. It’s being aware that wherever we go Christ is with us and the Holy Spirit is working with us to transform our lives. We don’t have to do it on our own.

That means when we fall back into old habits and behaviors, Jesus is there with mercy and forgiveness and second chances and new beginnings. He’s present with us, guiding us, teaching us and helping us make better choices for our lives.