Church Clothes: Dress Code for the Born-Again Believer
Scripture
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." — Colossians3:12-15 NKJV
Introduction
Church clothes. For many, it’s a term that evokes fond memories of special clothing that was purchased for the purpose of attending church on Sunday. Men and boys would wear a nice suit. Women and girls would wear a beautiful dress. Nice and neat hair came at the cost of long hours in the barbershop and burns from hot combs in the house on Saturday. After hours of preparation what emerges from the home is what many call their Sunday Best. For some, church clothes (or the lack thereof) are an excuse for not attending in-person church services. For others, church clothes are overrated and unnecessary. They quote “Come as you are!” (A popular scripture that I just can’t seem to locate in the Bible).
My goal is not to express my approval or disapproval of said dress codes. Instead, I want to submit to you that those clothes (dressy or casual) are not the only clothes that must be worn by the believer. In a letter to believers, Apostle Paul describes clothing that must be worn on the heart. The garments listed include mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, endurance, forgiveness, love, peace, and thankfulness (Colossians 3:12-15). Each of these heavenly garments reflect the nature of Jesus and those who have been born again. They are the true church clothes—the dress code for a born-again believer. Therefore, whether we’re dressed up or dressed down (outwardly) has little significance in comparison to how we’ve dressed our hearts.
Would it be ok for a follower of Jesus to pretty and prideful? Or dapper and disrespectful? I think not. God made it clear that while man is obsessed with what’s on the outside, He examines the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Man cares what it looks like, whereas God cares about what it really is. He looks beyond what’s dressed on the body and looks to what’s dressed on the heart. For the next two weeks, we will engage devotionals and lift prayers that will help us clothe our hearts with the character of Christ.
My goal is not to express my approval or disapproval of said dress codes. Instead, I want to submit to you that those clothes (dressy or casual) are not the only clothes that must be worn by the believer. In a letter to believers, Apostle Paul describes clothing that must be worn on the heart. The garments listed include mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, endurance, forgiveness, love, peace, and thankfulness (Colossians 3:12-15). Each of these heavenly garments reflect the nature of Jesus and those who have been born again. They are the true church clothes—the dress code for a born-again believer. Therefore, whether we’re dressed up or dressed down (outwardly) has little significance in comparison to how we’ve dressed our hearts.
Would it be ok for a follower of Jesus to pretty and prideful? Or dapper and disrespectful? I think not. God made it clear that while man is obsessed with what’s on the outside, He examines the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Man cares what it looks like, whereas God cares about what it really is. He looks beyond what’s dressed on the body and looks to what’s dressed on the heart. For the next two weeks, we will engage devotionals and lift prayers that will help us clothe our hearts with the character of Christ.
This Week's Devotionals
Day 1: Mercy
The first garment that we must clothe our hearts with is mercy. The Oxford Dictionary defines mercy as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. In other words, to give mercy is to bless someone even though you’re in the perfect position to hurt them. This can be especially difficult when you feel that they deserve it the hurt. Perhaps the pain of your heart is screaming for retaliation. But the mercy of God is saying “Let it go.”
At first, this seems impossible. The hurt and anger feel too great to turn away. Your mind says, “There’s no way they can get off this easy!” Yet, with one reminder of Jesus, our rage is disarmed and the case against our neighbor is dismissed. Because while we were buried to our eyebrows in sin, Christ died for each of us (Romans 5:8). God gave us a gift that we didn’t deserve and a blessing we couldn’t afford. When He gave us Jesus, He gave us mercy. This mercy was described in Lamentations 3:22-23 “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
Perhaps you’re preparing to start your day or you’re already deep into it. Do a quick garment check. Are you wearing mercy? Are you prepared to give a gift that someone doesn’t deserve? Are you willing to bless someone with something you could’ve withheld? If not, take time to meditate on the mercy of God; think of sacrifice of Jesus. How God has shown mercy in your life when you deserved the opposite. These thoughts should prompt you to praise God for His mercy! Go ahead, give it to Him. Then ask God to fill your heart with His tender mercy. And whenever you’re met with the opportunity to show mercy, do it! Show mercy! Show it at home, show it in the office, show it at church, show it on the highway, show it in the parking lot at the grocery store. In all that you do, do it with mercy resting on your heart.
At first, this seems impossible. The hurt and anger feel too great to turn away. Your mind says, “There’s no way they can get off this easy!” Yet, with one reminder of Jesus, our rage is disarmed and the case against our neighbor is dismissed. Because while we were buried to our eyebrows in sin, Christ died for each of us (Romans 5:8). God gave us a gift that we didn’t deserve and a blessing we couldn’t afford. When He gave us Jesus, He gave us mercy. This mercy was described in Lamentations 3:22-23 “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
Perhaps you’re preparing to start your day or you’re already deep into it. Do a quick garment check. Are you wearing mercy? Are you prepared to give a gift that someone doesn’t deserve? Are you willing to bless someone with something you could’ve withheld? If not, take time to meditate on the mercy of God; think of sacrifice of Jesus. How God has shown mercy in your life when you deserved the opposite. These thoughts should prompt you to praise God for His mercy! Go ahead, give it to Him. Then ask God to fill your heart with His tender mercy. And whenever you’re met with the opportunity to show mercy, do it! Show mercy! Show it at home, show it in the office, show it at church, show it on the highway, show it in the parking lot at the grocery store. In all that you do, do it with mercy resting on your heart.
Day 2: Kindness
When two kids are playing facetiously, it’s not uncommon to hear an adult say to them “Be kind.” It’s an attempt to correct behavior that is or will become harmful to one or both parties. And encourages them to be nice or gentle in their interactions. The world longs for kindness. People desire to be treated kindly, yet there are many who choose to not be kind. In the Kingdom of God, kindness is fundamental. It is a standard character trait of the born-again believer. In our focus text, Apostle Paul lists kindness as second on the list of garments with which we are to clothe our hearts: “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness…” (Colossians 3:12).
The Greek word used for kindness goes beyond the surface of gentleness and being kind; it literally means usefulness, that is, moral excellence in character or demeanor. This means that kindness is measured by one’s moral excellence. To be morally excellent is to be firmly committed to doing what’s right. Not occasionally or when it’s convenient but continually kind. The person who’s morally excellent is a person whom others can trust and depend on.
In a study about the US Navy, it described how individuals are selected for the SEAL Team Six (a special operations force). Most would assume that they would simply pick the best skilled persons for the job. However, it’s common that a person who’s slower or less skilled than others would be selected over the one who’s more skilled or in better physical shape. The reason is found in their dependability. The less skilled and less fit person is more beneficial to the team if he or she is a person that can be trusted. No matter how skilled or fit a person is, if they cannot be trusted then there’s no use for them.
What this helps us see is that a person is not useful if they’re not kind. God is kind. Therefore, we must be kind. In fact, God cannot use you if you can’t be kind. Without kindness, God considers us to be unusable. You could be the best dressed and the most gifted, yet God will pass over you if you’re not kind. Dress your heart with kindness—moral excellence. Be a person that God can use and people can trust. Be kind.
The Greek word used for kindness goes beyond the surface of gentleness and being kind; it literally means usefulness, that is, moral excellence in character or demeanor. This means that kindness is measured by one’s moral excellence. To be morally excellent is to be firmly committed to doing what’s right. Not occasionally or when it’s convenient but continually kind. The person who’s morally excellent is a person whom others can trust and depend on.
In a study about the US Navy, it described how individuals are selected for the SEAL Team Six (a special operations force). Most would assume that they would simply pick the best skilled persons for the job. However, it’s common that a person who’s slower or less skilled than others would be selected over the one who’s more skilled or in better physical shape. The reason is found in their dependability. The less skilled and less fit person is more beneficial to the team if he or she is a person that can be trusted. No matter how skilled or fit a person is, if they cannot be trusted then there’s no use for them.
What this helps us see is that a person is not useful if they’re not kind. God is kind. Therefore, we must be kind. In fact, God cannot use you if you can’t be kind. Without kindness, God considers us to be unusable. You could be the best dressed and the most gifted, yet God will pass over you if you’re not kind. Dress your heart with kindness—moral excellence. Be a person that God can use and people can trust. Be kind.
Day 3: Humility
The third garment that must be worn by the born-again believer is humility. The Greek word used in Colossians 3:12 for humility means the humbleness of mind. The mind is the place where our thoughts live. And whatever is in our minds has the power to control our lives (Proverbs 4:23). Pride, entitlement, and jealousy are only a few of the expressions of a mind that lacks the strength of humility.
Humility is one of the hallmarks of a follower of Jesus. In Him, we see a consistent example of humility—before, during and after His ministry on earth. He demonstrates it in his submission to His mother both as a child and as a man. We then see humility in Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. He remained humble even to death on the cross and was humble after His resurrection.
In a letter, Apostle Peter punctuates a dramatic contrast between the life of the humble and the proud:
“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” — 1 Peter 5:5-6 NKJV
God opposes the proud. Pride is the opposite of humility. Therefore, it’s easy to see how a proud person would be labeled as an opponent of God. The last thing anyone should do is become the rival of God. There’s no scenario where that comes out good. However, there’s a blessing in humility. Peter says that God gives grace to the humble. Grace is unmerited favor. It’s favor that cannot be earned or purchased; only given and received.
When Apostle Paul was faced with a problem he couldn’t solve—a pain he couldn’t escape, he prayed that God would remove it. Yet, God’s only response was “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness,” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul’s success was not found in his own strength but in God’s grace.
What we discover through both Peter and Paul is there’s an advantage in humility. When we walk humility, we receive an advantage that the proud cannot. We receive grace. Grace that’s greater than any display of strength I could ever show. An example of this advantage is shown in the last part of Peter’s instruction. He says, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). God elevates the humble. But what’s even better is that He does it at the right time. When we lack humility, our pride becomes puffed up with entitlement and cries with jealousy. Whereas humility is grateful because God knows when we’re ready for elevation.
As you walk with humility, you will walk with holy confidence, knowing that God has given you the advantage over every problem, challenge, or struggle. Put on your humility and wear it well!
Humility is one of the hallmarks of a follower of Jesus. In Him, we see a consistent example of humility—before, during and after His ministry on earth. He demonstrates it in his submission to His mother both as a child and as a man. We then see humility in Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. He remained humble even to death on the cross and was humble after His resurrection.
In a letter, Apostle Peter punctuates a dramatic contrast between the life of the humble and the proud:
“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” — 1 Peter 5:5-6 NKJV
God opposes the proud. Pride is the opposite of humility. Therefore, it’s easy to see how a proud person would be labeled as an opponent of God. The last thing anyone should do is become the rival of God. There’s no scenario where that comes out good. However, there’s a blessing in humility. Peter says that God gives grace to the humble. Grace is unmerited favor. It’s favor that cannot be earned or purchased; only given and received.
When Apostle Paul was faced with a problem he couldn’t solve—a pain he couldn’t escape, he prayed that God would remove it. Yet, God’s only response was “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness,” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul’s success was not found in his own strength but in God’s grace.
What we discover through both Peter and Paul is there’s an advantage in humility. When we walk humility, we receive an advantage that the proud cannot. We receive grace. Grace that’s greater than any display of strength I could ever show. An example of this advantage is shown in the last part of Peter’s instruction. He says, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). God elevates the humble. But what’s even better is that He does it at the right time. When we lack humility, our pride becomes puffed up with entitlement and cries with jealousy. Whereas humility is grateful because God knows when we’re ready for elevation.
As you walk with humility, you will walk with holy confidence, knowing that God has given you the advantage over every problem, challenge, or struggle. Put on your humility and wear it well!
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