A new wardrobe

Wednesday August 18, 2021

A new wardrobe

Searching the Scriptures

But now give up all that... You have stripped yourselves of the old man and his ways of acting, you have put on the new man who renews himself to come to true knowledge, in accordance with the image of the one who created it. Colossians 3.8-10

Did you know that our dress is not neutral ? It reflects who we are or want to appear, our inner emotions... It conveys a message : "I want to be desired or noticed". "I am part of such and such a clan." "I reject current society." It is common for those who want to mark a new turning point in their life, to review, in the process, the style of their wardrobe.

This is why, when you become a Christian, you also have to take a walk in your "dressing room". I'm not talking about a "hard" walk-in closet, although sometimes that also needs "a major overhaul" ! But a "spiritual" dressing room.

Colossians 3 and Ephesians 4 give us a list, probably non-exhaustive, of all these "clothes" which have become obsolete : sexual immorality, uncontrolled passions, thirst for possession, anger, wickedness, insults, bitterness, loud voices, theft, lies, hurtful words or profanity... It is not a question of sorting them out, of trying to "recycle" them, or even "to put them aside", but literally to "get rid of them". Because they are old-fashioned, they belong to "the earth" (Colossians 3: 5) - where sin rules - and do not correspond to our new identity and community.

These two chapters then invite us to "put on the new man", to dress in another creator - The Creator. Our "look" must radically change, in our way of living, of thinking, of behaving: honesty, kindness, helping others, understanding, forgiveness, benevolence, humility, patience... And "above all, put on you love". (Colossians 3:14)

Listen to the voice of God

Let's take the time to listen to what God means. Do you need the Holy Spirit to review your "spiritual wardrobe" ? He is the one who can make all things new in you.

Praying is easy. Talk to God as you would your closest friend. God loves you and he can hear everything. Here is an example of a prayer : "Sorry Lord, if sometimes I bring out the" old things "of my past. Help me to live according to the codes of my new identity and community. May the message that I transmit to those around me be clear and make them want to know you."

Praise God

To praise God is to show him our gratitude. Today, what are your subjects of recognition ? Take a moment to thank the Lord.

Act today

Now dig deeper into what you have received. What can you do to apply what God has told you ? Write down the concrete actions you can take.

Honor the Lord

Our route for the day comes to an end. Let us pray together to honor our God.

"Thank you Lord because only you can change my life and give me a new 'spiritual dress'. Yours be the reign, the power and the glory, amen !"

Catherine Gotte Avdjian

Source (The Thought of the Day)