With the weather ranging
from 40 degrees to 80 degrees in the same 24 hour period, it has been interesting
to dress during these recent winter days.
Which temperature would I choose for my choice of attire for the
day? Usually layering of clothing seemed
to be the best option.
Fortunately, the Bible
spells out the dress code we are to wear every day no matter what the weather
or temperature. To look and behave our
best, there are certain things that no longer need to be an option for us to
choose. We need to get rid of all falsehood,
anger, stealing, unwholesome talk, bitterness, rage, brawling, slander, and
malice. Then we are ready to dress appropriately
for the day. In The Armor of God
Bible study, Priscilla Shirer reminds us that wearing the breastplate of
righteousness means replacing your old garments with carefully selected
attributes that align with the light of Christ.” Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:24 that we are
to “Put on the new self…created after the likeness of God.” Every day I need to put on the virtues of
humility, gentleness, patience, a loving spirit, truth, kindness, compassion,
and forgiveness. Those virtues are to be
worn every day, no matter the temperature, weather, or season. And they will never be out of style or wear
out.
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of
God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves
with Christ.
Galatians 3:26-27
Be completely humble and gentle; be
patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep
the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
You were taught, with regard to your former
way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its
deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true
righteousness and holiness.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger,
brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate
to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:22-24, 31, 32
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