Every morning you have a decision to make. What are you going to wear? Do you have an important meeting, or will you be working in the yard? What kind of image do you want to project? Of course, for some of us, the decision has already been made for us. Perhaps you have to wear a uniform, or, for me, the choice is made by what is clean. I generally put on my socks and then try to find something to match, but that’s a story for another day.
The Apostle Paul told the Colossians to “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:12 – 14).
He begins by saying we are “chosen,” “holy,” and “beloved,” so our adornments should match what we indeed are. God chose us to be his children. That means we should act like it. Our behavior reflects on our family. When people meet us, they are meeting our Father too. That’s a huge responsibility!
Likewise, we are to be “holy.” Sadly, that image is badly soiled. You’ve heard the expression, “He’s a holy Joe.” It’s not a compliment! It describes someone who is judgmental and, often, a borderline hypocrite. When I was growing up, mom had two sets of dishes: the everyday Melmac, and the good china. We only got out the china on special occasions, and with five kids, the Melmac sometimes soared across the room like a Frisbee, but never the china! It was nearly holy. So too, we aren’t to be Melmac. We are Christians! We’ve been chosen. We are special. We are to be holy.
Finally, just as mom’s china was connected with beautiful memories – Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas, birthdays, and visits from family – so we are “beloved.” God sees such wonderful things in you, that it makes him smile. You are chosen, holy, and beloved, so take care how you dress today: inside and out!