Your New Wardrobe

I used to go many years without getting new clothes.  My idea of getting a new wardrobe was getting underwear and socks for Christmas…new underwear and socks that is…not…well, you get it.  That led to some pretty “worn” clothing over the years and the same “look” for many years.  I’m a little better at getting new shirts and pants at this point in my life.  In this paragraph Paul exhorts the believer in Christ to “put on” some new “clothes”, only these clothes come from the inside, not the outside; though they are very evident from the outside.  Here is the beginning of the wardrobe of the “new man”: “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.”  I hope words like “tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness and longsuffering” are pieces of your wardrobe that are very visible as you go throughout your day.  Are any of these pieces missing from your closet?  If so, why?  Please consider bringing out those pieces and putting them on.  Others would like to see them and you’ll enjoy how you look in them as well.  In verse 13 Paul writes to “bear with one another and to forgive one another”. These pieces are very important as well. Note that the ability to forgive and bear with one another comes from the person and example of Christ.  Christ not only gives us an example to follow, through the Holy Spirit He gives you the power to do it as well.  Jesus isn’t just a fashion model where we can read about Him in the New Testament and think, “Yes, I’d like to look like Him”.  No, Jesus actually puts those pieces of clothing in your life for you to live out…He equips you.  This is a marvelous truth.  Again, let me ask you to consider what your “new man” wardrobe looks like. Put it on.  If you need some fashion advice, I’m ready.  As I’ve said before, borrowing from “Men’s Warehouse”…you’re going to like the way you look.