Suggested clothing to be in style

Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved cloth yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Clothes are very important to many fashion minded people and because of that clothing stores abound and designer names carry weight to the fashion minded.  However, who we are is identified by our wardrobe displaying our inner self.  This passage certainly suggests every Christian’s wardrobe.  The difference between our closet wardrobe and our inner self wardrobe is huge.  One displays something purchased while the other displays our heart.  The heart display is far more important than the closet display.  Let’s all wear the clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Very simple, yet very hard

Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” God expects us to enjoy our life on this earth and live a life dedicated to Him as we use our talents serving Him and our fellow man.  But, our minds are always looking forward to a glorious future living with Him in Heaven.  If we live only for earthly pleasure and gain, we will live a very disappointing life.  We will leave this earth saying the well known words—is that all there is?  If we live thanking our God for all our blessings we will leave this earth saying the well known words—praise be to God, Heaven is my home.

A warning

Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” The world is full of philosophies which might or might not include correct man’s thinking and some moral thoughts.  Man is easily fooled into thinking, especially in America, where we highly value freedom of life which includes freedom of thought.  As Christians we have to evaluate all philosophy as to whether it is God thinking or simply man thinking.  Man thinking might have some value but certainly not the absolute truth God wants us to make our own.

Really —Perfect? How?

Colossians 1:22-23a “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” Because of our Savior you and I are forgiven when we confess we need forgiveness and become faith filled loved adopted children of God.  The difficult to understand truth happens–we become perfect before God and are heirs to eternal life.  Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection become wonderful celebrations.  Santa Claus and the Easter bunny only become distractions from the real meaning of Christmas and Easter. Have a great weekend.

Applicable prayer

Colossians 1:10b-11 “…bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.,” Our obligation to our loving God is to do good works.  Our obligation is to study His Word and gain knowledge.  Our God is the One who gives each of us endurance and patience so that perseverance becomes our middle name.  What a privilege it is to honor and serve our Magnificent God.

How to live life

 Colossians 1:9-10p “…We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you might live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way…” Our author wrote a prayer which could apply to all of us.  We are all to live lives serving God and asking ourselves–are we doing the will of our God or serving our own will.  Unfortunately, you and i need to be constantly reminded who to serve.  We should always seek the knowledge and wisdom only God can provide.  Contentedness comes from our God.  Peace and wisdom come from God.  Every Christian desires all 3.