And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. – Colossians 3:10
Edward Gibbon’s monumental six-volume treatise “History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire“ traces the nature of Western civilizations from the time of the collapse of Rome to the fall of Byzantium. Among the many slices of culture he charts is slavery. Gibbons noted that slaves were dressed differently from citizens. What they wore immediately distinguished them. In addition, the basic law of supply and demand determined what was available to them, and it certainly was not fine linen, embroidered cottons, or specially imported silks. In some circumstances, slaves were not permitted clothes at all.
Today’s verse states when you came to Christ you were clothed in a new self. How one is clothed is often discussed in the Bible. At the time of the fall of Adam and Eve, God Himself clothed the couple in garments He made of animal skins. In Galatians 3:27, as many as were “baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Psalm 132:9 discusses being “clothed with righteousness.” The Holy Spirit dwelling within believers clothes them with power (Luke 24:49). The Christ-follower will one day put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:50-55).
Pastor Ray Stedman writes, “When I get up in the morning, I put on my clothes, intending them to be part of me all day to go where I go and do what I do… Put on Jesus Christ when you get up in the morning. Make Him a part of your life that day. Intend that he go with you everywhere you go.” Dress yourself as a child of the King, not in the tatters of a slave. Be distinguishable from the world around you by your humility, kindness, and compassion, as you give consideration to the messages your choice of clothes relays. Pray for people representing Christ in high places to have “wardrobes“ that do not draw attention to themselves, either positive or negative, but that represent righteousness and purity.
Today’s Verse: Colossians 3:10
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Colossians 3:1-2, 12-17
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
