It has been some time since I sat to write for this blog. I received a gentle reminder today so I decided to stop procrastinating and just write this post. The phrase "put on some clothes" has been whirling around in my head for several weeks maybe even a month or two. It came to me after reading Colossians chapter 3 from the world's greatest book, the Bible. This chapter has rich instruction for every believer who truly wants to live as Christ's disciple in this world. It describes the character of Christ and each believer as a result of the work of Holy Spirit in a life. However, many of us don't want to truly admit that the Holy Spirit doesn't do all the work. He works internally but we must do some things externally as well. There are character traits we put off and others we must choose to put on! We will get to more of that in a minute...I have to tell this short story.
So last week I was reminded of my "summer" topic "put on some clothes" when my family and I visited Ocean City, NJ. It was a beautiful day to go to the beach. It wasn't too hot and there was a cool breeze blowing. My youngest son loves swimming and water, so I was simply thankful and enjoying every moment. At least I was until I noticed a woman who frankly needed to put on some clothes! Alright, I am not a "prudish, religious" Christian who believes that women need to have on long skirts and turtlenecks but I am, however, a mother of a sixteen year old son! Seriously. I had to regroup. I was having a conversation with her in my head. You know what I am talking about. When you have a strong inclination to just "tell someone about themselves"! Take a deep breath, Ronda! So instead of approaching the woman to inquire about her lack of discretion (which is really what I wanted to do) I simply embraced the teachable moment and spoke to my son about appropriate beach attire and things that come before our eyes! I could go so many places but I am going to take the advice of my brother, Apostle Paul and refrain as I know I must walk as a new man (woman) in Christ. Colossians chapter 3 was exactly what this situation called for in more ways than one!
Intro: All of Colossians chapter 3 is so rich and I will not do it justice in this short blog so please do yourself a favor and go and read it! Ponder it. Let it settle on your heart. Let it take root. Then when life comes at you with its craziness, which it will, go and read it again!
PUT OFF: I had to take the time that day to put off a few emotions that wanted me to give that lady at the beach a piece of my "righteous" mind. I had already mentally justified my conversation...I was going to speak the truth and believed that the rest of the beach goers would be cheering me on! However, verse 8 in the Amplified Bible reads "But NOW PUT AWAY and RID YOURSELVES COMPLETELY of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses, slander and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips". I can't say for sure that my conversation with that woman would not have violated a few of these things. I can't even say for sure that my mention of this now is not slander ( I don't know her name, so if it is Lord please forgive me). I am going somewhere. Can you hear that tinge of justification? If we are honest with ourselves this is what we do, we justify our wrong attitudes, thoughts and words because we believe our judgment of others is correct. Listen, I am talking about stuff I struggle with and if you really want Holy Spirit to help you change you have to judge yourself. So I am just putting this out there. We have a choice with each thought, each word and each action...we must choose to put off these things! That's the Bible, folks!
DON'T RUN AROUND NAKED!
PUT ON: Once we make the decision to put away some things, Apostle Paul admonishes us to put on some clothes! Colossians 3:12 in the Amplified Bible reads,
"CLOTHE YOURSELVES therefore as GOD'S OWN CHOSEN ONES (His own hand-picked representatives, who are purified and holy, well-beloved, (BY GOD HIMSELF) BY PUTTING ON BEHAVIOR marked by tenderhearted pity and mercy, KIND FEELING, A LOWLY OPINION OF YOURSELF, gentle ways and PATIENCE which is tireless and long-suffering and has the power to endure WHATEVER COMES WITH GOOD TEMPER."
(my emphasis added FOR ME!)
(my emphasis added FOR ME!)
IT AIN'T OVER
Verse 13, "Be gentle and forbearing with one another and if one has a difference a grievance or complaint against another, readily pardoning each other: even as the Lord has freely forgiven you, so must you also forgive."
That is a lot of clothing! Serious clothing! Can I get an AMEN?!?
I have read this portion of scripture quite a few times this past summer. I can't say that I have always been properly dressed for every occasion, but I can say that I am quick to ask forgiveness and thankful for the longsuffering grace of my loving Father. Some days I can see myself properly clothed (notice how I am no longer concerned about the beach lady and her attire) and some days I am not. Now that I know what I know...I am responsible to choose daily...
Holy Spirit gives me a little insight.
"For ( as far as this world is concerned) you have died and your (new, real life) is hidden with Christ in God". Colossians 3:3 Amplified Bible
SELAH
My life is hid in Christ. We are putting on the new man which is in Christ Jesus who is in God! Our process continues from glory to glory into the image and likeness of the one who created us. (II Corinthians 3:18 and Colossians 3:10). I am clothed with a new man that reflects the image of the Christ in me and I choose to yield to Holy Spirit at work internally so that Christ-like character can be seen externally. We all have to choose DAILY what we are going to be dressed in...choose wisely.
DON'T WALK AROUND NAKED! PUT ON SOME CLOTHES...Christ Character Clothing!
© Ronda Wagner and Kelbey Chronicles, 2013-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ronda Wagner and Kelbey Chronicles with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
