Put Off/Put On

Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, (13) bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. –Colossians 3.12-13 (CSB)

I was living in Wales when Matt and Kayla convinced me I needed to update my wardrobe. Together, we went shopping in the city center and we found a “new style.” Instead of boot-cut jeans and fishing shirts, I found black skinny jeans, a long-sleeve white t-shirt (with a green flannel button down), and some white Converse. Though I was reluctant, I bought one set of this style. I debuted it (with very little confidence) on Monday morning. I felt like a Muppet, and I changed into my old clothes at my earliest opportunity.
 
While I’ve not been able to forget this horrible experience (and waste of money), I have found it useful to describe Paul’s commands in Colossians 3. In Seminary, Dr. Vandercook dubbed this the “Put Off/Put On Passage.” It makes sense, too. Paul tells us in Colossians 3.5-10 to “put off the old self” (v9) and to “put on the new self” (v10). In other words: Take off the clothes that no longer fit (and make you feel uncomfortable) and put on the new clothes (those that are rightfully yours and fit).
 
We’re told to “put to death” the “earthly nature” (v5) and to “put away” how the old self expresses itself. But, as one writer noted, “holiness not just saying ‘no’ to sin, but ‘yes’ to God!” So, as we put off the old self, we’re to put on the new self. What does this look like? Today’s passage tells us what we ought to be wearing: Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, Patience, and Forgiveness (v12-13). This list is certainly not exhaustive! Even so, we’re to put on these things because we are “God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved” (v12).
 
We’ve been crucified and the grave clothes we were wearing have no place in a resurrected life. We have exchanged our grave clothes for royal robes; to wear the grave clothes is an afront to the completed work of King Jesus and simply not becoming of who we are in the Christ.
 
When we choose to live in disobedience, we essentially pick up an old set of clothes (which we should have done away with long ago), put them back on, and parade them around as if this is how it should be. But thanks be to God, that through the indwelling presence of God the Holy Spirit, we no longer must wear those dirty, ill-fitting, and ugly clothes. We are dressed in the royal robes, secured by King Jesus himself—all for his glory and our good.

For Reflection
Read Colossians 1.1-17.
 
What do you need to “put off” (v. 5-11)?
 
What do you need to “put on” (v.12-17)
 
How might our interactions with each other change if we each sought to clothes ourselves as “God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved” (v. 12)?
 
Pray
Pray and ask God to help you identify the areas in your life that need to be brought into alignment with his Word.
 
Father, I thank you that I am one of your chosen ones, holy and dearly loved. Help my life reflect the great work you’ve done as I seek to put off what doesn’t belong and put on what does belong. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.