What are you wearing? Is it about what’s really most important?

By DeanCollins

Confused about what to wear?

When I was in college as an undergraduate, I had a professor who was clueless about fashion. I don’t believe he ever gave one thought to what to wear. In fact, he looked as if he dressed in the dark. There was no regard for what material, print, or age of the garment he chose. He simply put it on. Anyone who saw him might have wondered whether he was color-blind or had any appreciation about what did and didn’t work together. He, on the other hand, was at perfect peace with his selections.

Most of us probably have a bit more fashion sense than he did. And some have daily distress over what to wear. Minutes to hours are spent in putting together an outfit, especially if it is for a special occasion.

New, not old

In Colossians 3, the apostle Paul has a word for us about what to wear. And his example begins with reminding us about the difference between the old life we once lived and the new life we now enjoy. Paul said if we have been raised with Christ we seek things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

This got me thinking about my old professor. A dozen or so years after I graduated, I lived near him and got to observe him not as a professor but as a neighbor and friend. He was remarkably consistent, both about fashion and about life. His mind was set on the things above. Yes, his fashion choices were always out of touch with the world, but his view of people and this life was clearly following the admonition of Scripture.

Reading the third chapter of Colossians and other letters from the apostle Paul, we can note that Paul used baptism as a way to help us understand the shedding of the old life and the resurrection of the new. Paul’s words in Galatians 2 remind us that we have been crucified with Christ; yet we still live, now as a different person. The old person was buried, the new person is risen; and as a new creature in Christ, we have a different wardrobe.

Now, not then

According to Scripture we cannot wear the attitudes and behaviors associated with our old life: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, covetousness, or idolatry. Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase uses current language to help us understand how this relates to us:

“It wasn’t long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it’s all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk. Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe.”

Raised from the waters of baptism, we are to “put on Christ” and humbly show the world the power and truth of the gospel because we act differently than the world and are consistent with the life Jesus lived.

God, not us

My old friend had in his yard a magnificent garden that produced an abundant harvest every year. It was enough for his family and his friends and neighbors, with enough more to put away for himself for the winter. He was always preparing soil, planting seeds, tending to the needs of the garden, and experiencing a harvest. The same was true with the work he did in the classroom, his relationship with friends, his writing, and his mission work. In every situation he was the same kind and gentle person who was always focused on the things above and not on the things the world offered.

Don’t misunderstand. He was well read and well aware of issues in culture and in global and local politics. He had a great understanding and knowledge of history and current events, but he consistently lived the gospel daily. His language, his attitude, and his behavior demonstrated a person who had taken off the old life and put on a new life in Christ.

His language, his attitude, and his behavior demonstrated a person
who had taken off the old life
and put on a new life in Christ.

Maybe when we get ready to head out the door today, our focus should be less about fashion and more about setting our minds and hearts on the things of God. To do that we need to make sure we are dressed in the new wardrobe given to us when we chose to follow Jesus completely.

Father, forgive us for the times we act and dress in ways that reflect our past life. Today we choose to set negativity, selfishness, and pride aside. We ask that the Holy Spirit wash over us again and fill us so that our appearance will reflect the life of Christ in every attitude and behavior as we seek to do the assignments you have given us in your new kingdom.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your time with God’s Word
Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬; 3:5-11 MSG

Photo by Dobri Dobrev at istockphoto.com.
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