Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:24)
A GROUP OF ATHEISTS gathered around a fellow atheist’s casket. Looking at their deceased friend, one person remarked, “What a shame, Joe’s all dressed up with no place to go.”
It seems that getting dressed up is almost a thing of the past, doesn’t it? Our culture has become so casual that few people dress up for work, school, social gatherings, or even church. We might debate what appropriate attire for church is, but we cannot debate what appropriate spiritual attire for the Christian life is. The apostle Paul commanded us forthrightly to “put on the new self” (Eph. 4:24). When we follow Christ, a change of character is in order.
When the repentant Prodigal Son returned home, he received a new wardrobe from his merciful father. His old clothes were probably dirty and smelly from the time he spent in a pigpen. But, thanks to his father, he was dressed with the best robe, a ring, and sandals (see Luke 15:22). Similarly, our heavenly Father has made a new wardrobe available to us. Its features are righteousness and holiness, both of which are produced by the Holy Spirit. So let’s discard every item of clothes that belongs to our former life and get all dressed up in the “new self,” which is appropriate attire for every occasion.
Check your wardrobe today to be sure righteousness and holiness adorn you.
Jim Dyet was born in Scotland and grew up in Canada. Married almost sixty years, he and Gloria live in Colorado Springs, where Jim enjoys golf and daily walks with their dogs.
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