Dressed for success

I would not go so far as to say that 'clothes make the man,' as some suggest. With the right help and budget, anybody can put together a suit of clothes that looks great! But, as shallow as we might think it is, there is some truth about being dressed for success. If you've seen the recent movie hit, "Pursuit of Happyness" (sp. in context) you may remember the scene where Chris Gardiner, the man struggling to make a living, goes directly from an overnight stay in jail to an interview for a job as a stock broker. He is dressed in old work clothes, disheveled, and covered with paint. When the brokerage manager asks him, "What would you say if a man walked in here with no shirt and I hired him?" Chris replies, "He must have had on some really nice pants!" Chris' courage and determination overcame his appearance and he got the job. We react to that scene because we know how extraordinary it is that his appearance did not quickly disqualify him from consideration.

God, through Christ Jesus, has purchased a suit for your soul, clothes you can put on that will dress you for real success. Paul writes about this in his letter to the church in Colosse. Take a look. "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. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. . . . From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ. So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." (Colossians 3:9-14, The Message)

When I get out of the shower in the morning, I look into my closet and dress myself according to the tasks of the day.
Day off, needing to do yardwork? Old polo shirt, work jeans, and sneakers are the uniform of the day.
Meeting at District office? Dress shirt, tie, jacket are the choice.
Conducting a funeral? Black suit, conservative tie.
Of course, inside those clothes it is the same Jerry, but each outfit prepares me to meet the obligations of the day. So it is with life. God knows that each day brings us differing challenges and tasks. So, He's prepared a whole wardrobe for us to wear that will help us do the work in a way that honors Him and displays His honor. Pull on compassion! Wear humility! Buckle on the belt of self-discipline! But never go out without putting on love! Paul reminds us that this is God's basic all-purpose, never out of style, coat.

This idea of being clothed by God, dressed for spiritual success, did not originate with Paul. Isaiah exults in God's provision for him, saying - "I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels." (Isaiah 61:10, NLT)

Strip off the old filthy clothing of the flesh, stained with sin. Throw it aside. Accept God's new suit - the righteousness of Christ. Enter the throne room of the King of Glory, confidently, dressed for the occasion, in the suit for the soul you could not afford, but which Jesus bought and paid for with His life. And, each day, suit up for His honor, wearing the wardrobe that marks you as a child of the King - love, compassion, kindness, humility, discipline, forgiveness.