A Clothes call

How many of you had to consciously go to your closet and decided to put on clothes before coming to work today? Hopefully too not many had to work through that decision. Now, what we we're going to wear probably had a little more thought. Some of us decide by the sniff and whiff method. If it passes, you’re good to go. Others spend a bit more time before the mirror, checking all the angles to make sure that it projects all the right messages. Whether consciously or unconsciously our clothes can communicate to others – some can make judgments of another by what and how they wear what they wear.

Our clothing choices can make powerful statements. Listening to a recent radio show with Spider Jones on CFRB, he was talking about the T.O. clubs that are excluding people based on the statement of the clothes. The whole gangsta rap thing is a big issue, with the bling and the low riding pants, with the basketball shirt, tilted, or backward hats. Some people choose their dress to detract, others to react, or attract – and some, just because it was on the floor (as is mostly in my case).

We’ve got another closest of clothes that we put on, or take off that isn’t quite so conscious. How many of you chose this morning to put on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness or the shoes of peace, or the belt of truth, or to pick up the shield of faith and the sword of Word?

We have a whole other collection of clothes – sweater of disappointment, shirts of anger, pants of frustration, socks of …whatever. What many don’t realize is that they have a whole lot control over what is chosen to be worn from this closet than what they think. However, many do not consider very carefully their fashion choices. The intent of these clothes are much the same – to detract, react or attract, and some, just because they were there on the floor. Whether conscious or unconscious these inner clothes communicate to others – some can make judgments of another by what and how they wear what they wear.

I had this reoccurring dream when I was a teenager. I’d take off my tee-shirt, and underneath there was another one. I take that one off, and again, another one. I’d get into this panic of removing the never-ending tee-shirts. I’d have these huge piles surrounding me. Obviously I have issues.

Let’s look at a passage of Scripture morning that talks to us about the whole deal of putting on and taking off. I’ve been increasingly challenged about the whole conscious putting on and taking off stuff. I can and need to take a whole lot more responsibility for what I wear, what I chose not to wear – and what it is that I’m projecting to others.

Col 3:1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Col 3:3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
Col 3:5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
Col 3:6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,
Col 3:7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.
Col 3:8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
Col 3:10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him--
Col 3:11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
Col 3:12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
Col 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Col 3:14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Col 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

There’s no question that all this setting, putting, and taking off requires a lot of effort and self-reflection. However, consider the options. You’re already experiencing the impacts of what you’re wearing. Our goal is to reflect Christ. What do I have to take off in order to put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience?

Anyway, I was just thinking.

Neil