American author and humorist Mark Twain said, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” The naked Adam certainly influenced our society, but today, Twain’s line holds truth. By looking at the clothes of a man, we often can see his profession, his personality and his prosperity. While there are people who spend more than they can afford on clothing, there are many more people who buy cheap clothing that does not last a season before disintegrating, discoloring or shrinking. Clothes do not change what is on the inside; they simply reflect the inner man.
As Christians, we should have a whole new wardrobe! It is like going through an intensive program through Weight Watchers. When we leave the program and re-enter the world, none of our old clothing should fit.
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Colossians 3:5-11
In verse 7 above, the word “walked” is in the Greek aorist tense, denoting that at one time in the past, the action took place. All of us walked in fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, yet when we come to Christ, He teaches us to walk away from those ways. We all wish that walking away from sin was a one-time process, as brokenness is sin’s companion each step of the way. Yet, there are times when we continue to walk away from sin as Christians. In verse 8, we see the clothing that we are to remove: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language and lying. All six of those actions destroy our relationships and reflect the evil from within.
Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 12:34
In the same manner that our friends, families and co-workers all would notice if we completely changed our style with a make-over, those same people also should notice when that make-over occurs on the inside! In the following passage from Colossians, we see the new clothing that is worn in place of the old:
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 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. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:12-17
It would be easy for God to take us to heaven once we give our lives to Him. Instead, He leaves us here and changes our ways, so drastically that people who know us should be able to see that difference with ease. If accustomed to our destructive ways, when people see our newly-found constructive attributes of kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering and tender mercies, they first will wonder what deceitful plans we have come up with to get ahead. Yet as time continues, and the change remains, that 180-degree turn will speak volumes to an unbelieving world. God uses our sinful past in His kingdom building!
Are there changes that the Lord is still making in your life? If not, you are not listening to Him! We are not perfected until we see His face. In the meantime, expect for God to continue cleaning you up, inside and out. Let the new attributes on the outside demonstrate those inner changes. If the changes only have occurred on the inside, then you are naked, and can have no effect on society!
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Romans 7:21-25
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