Colossians 3:12-17 begins by saying “Therefore, as the elect of God…” which means that God has chosen and picked us out from the masses of earth’s population to be His special people, a position enjoyed by “as many as received Him” (Jesus), John 1:12. In this transition God places a new spirit within us that enables us to live like Jesus; however we still live in a carnal body and He calls us to take action against that old carnal nature by putting off those old evil ways and habits, and to clothe ourselves with the character and actions of spirit nature He has placed within us. Yes, it takes deliberate steps of action on our part because we are now between two forces, that of the new spirit man pulling us upward, and the old carnal man of flesh pulling us downward. God is calling us to follow “the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:14, which includes clothing ourselves with His characteristics. This can only be accomplished by the new spirit He places within us, “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but… through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:5. The pull we choose to follow makes the difference of walking in either the ways of life or of death!
How am I dressed?
By Rose Hill
This morning I put on mercies so tender,
I won’t bring punishment to an offender.
I put on kindness and helped one in need,
And from their burdens they were freed.
Then I put on some humility,
The good I did no one needed to see.
Then I put on my shoes of peace and content,
And tied them up with the blessings God sent.
Then dressed with meekness as a garment of grace,
On top I put a coat of forgivingness in place.
Now to put on love I’ll never forget,
It is the most important garment yet.
Last but not least I put thankfulness on,
And sang to the Lord a beautiful song.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.