By Allen White
Put to death, therefore, whatever
belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires
and greed, which is idolatry…Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly
loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience.
Colossians 3:5, 12
Ill fitting closes aren’t comfortable. I’m not talking about a
baggy pair of sweats to lounge around in on the weekend. I’m speaking of the
clothes that shrunk in the wash, the jeans we can only button while laying
down, and the t-shirt from vacation 10 years ago – it’s a small world in that
part of the closet.
If we try to wear something small, we look terrible, we feel
terrible, and we embarrass ourselves. Today’s passage informs us that there are
attitudes and behaviors that fit us well, and there others that need to be
thrown away.
God’s people look best in compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience. These are not things that we work hard to become. This
is the fruit of a Spirit-empowered life.
If we don’t naturally feel kind and compassionate, then it’s supernatural.
It comes from our surrender to God, not by our hard work.
What comes naturally to people is the fruit of the flesh -- sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,
which is idolatry. All of those might not apply to us, but a couple of them do.
Whether this is played out in our lives or just in our heads, it’s the product
of our old, sinful nature. These garments are shrunken, misshapen and ugly.
They no longer fit the new “us” that God has created.
If we feel drawn to the fruit of the
flesh, we need to investigate what’s going on with us. If we’re fascinated with
greed, why do we feel that more will make us feel better about ourselves? Why
do we feel inadequate? What itch do we think that material things will scratch?
Our adequacy comes from God. We get our
self-worth from Him and who He has made us to be. But, if God has made us new,
then why is there so much old still around? While things for our eternity are
set, if we belong to Christ, things in this life don’t happen overnight. God is
willing to transform us to the degree that we’re willing to surrender. God will
allow us to hang onto the parts of our old, sinful nature until it’s run its
course, and we decide to give it over to God.
What attitudes or behaviors would you
like to see disappear from your life? Have you asked God to take these things
away? Have you sought accountability in this area of your life? What new things
are you pursuing to replace the old? Whether your clothes are old or new,
ill-fitting or well-fitting, you’re wearing something. What is your favorite
thing to wear?
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