Clothed or Costumed?

Mark Twain said, “Clothes make the man.”  The humorist finished that quote saying, “Naked people have little or no influence on society!”  My choice of clothing don’t really change me, but how I am dressed most certainly effects the way other people respond to me. When I wear a dress shirt, tie, and jacket, I look like a pastor headed for some formal event, i.e., funeral, wedding, or public meeting. When I’m wearing jeans and a sweatshirt my pastoral role is not as obvious.  Could I do that same tasks in either dress? Of course, I could, but there are expectations.  Americans have largely abandoned dress codes.  Still, what we have on offers clues about our status, wealth, and occupation.  Sometimes those signals are accurate. Sometimes people are just wearing a costume, playing ‘dress up,’  trying to create an image that is at odds with reality.

The issue that really matters is how you dress your spirit!

Christian, do you live in the filthy rags of sinfulness despite being offered a suit finely tailored just for them by the Master?  The Bible tells us "as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Colossians 3:12, NIV)  Again, we are told to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24, NIV)  The word in the original text of the NT that is translated, “put on,” was a word that would have been used for sliding into a shirt or a robe.   

Make no mistake about true holiness. Pastor Craig Groeschel asserts that ‘nobody falls into holiness but all fall into sin!’  A life that is filled with Christ’s character requires discipline and desire from us. We do not become useful to God, beautifully reflecting His wholesomeness to our world, by accident or effortlessly.  There must be intent, a real desire to be like our Savior.

Clothing can temporarily conceal the truth. Anyone can buy a uniform and look like a soldier, but only basic training creates a real Marine! It is possible to hang out with genuine disciples and learn enough of the lifestyle to adopt a mannerism that conceals an unchanged heart. 

Paul’s command to every Christian that that we must take steps to make sure we are living the reality of our calling, that our lives are appropriately attired in the character of Jesus Christ. In the book of the Revelation, the Lord Jesus tells a lukewarm, unholy church to get dressed!  Allow me to paraphrase His words.  “Stop lounging around in your pajamas, thinking you’re presentable,” He says. "I counsel you to buy from me … white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness.” (Revelation 3:18, NIV)

Are you dressed for success, as a Christian?

Are you putting on the righteousness of Christ, inviting the Spirit to scrub away the filth of hatred, lovelessness, greed, or sensuality so that the beauty of your salvation will be evident to all?

Do you wear the suit provided by your Father in a way that let’s others know to Whom you belong?

Here’s a word from the Word. Ponder the promise today and wear it.

"I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul!
He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara.

For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden cascades with blossoms,

So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom and puts praise on display before the nations." (Isaiah 61:10-11, The Message)

________________

Do you hear them coming brother,

Thronging up the steeps of light,

Clad in glorious shining garments,

Blood washed garments pure and white?

'Tis a glorious church,

Without spot or wrinkle,

Washed in the blood of the Lamb;

'Tis a glorious church,

Without spot or wrinkle,

Washed in the blood of the Lamb.

A Glorious Church

Hudson, Ralph E.

© Public Domain