Like My Clothes?

Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.


I've been thinking a lot lately about how much I reflect Christ in my office (let alone to my family and friends when I'm relaxed). Pastor Ron has been teaching on compassion the last couple of weeks and this scripture has caught my attention because it tells me exactly how I should be dealing with others...the attitude to have when others are crossing me, coming to me for help or advice, when I'm frustrated with myself and still having to talk to someone. All those situations present me with an opportunity to either show myself as Christ walked or show myself as I was b.c.

I'm reminded of the story of the Emperor's New Clothes. In that story, the Emperor was convinced that he had a new set of clothes on when he went in public when, in fact, he was totally naked before everyone. He was so confident that he was wearing clothing that no one dared tell him otherwise. BUT they could all tell he was naked.

When I'm stepping out into the world, I feel confident that I'm clothed in Christ's likeness. In compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. I tell everyone that I'm a Christian (in case they can't see what I'm wearing). But am I really clothed in these characteristics or am I naked? Do I really treat others the way Christ would have treated them or am I just wearing imaginary clothing?

Don't get me wrong, I know there are times when my flesh rules the situation and I'm left naked in the street...exposed to be the same as any other human being. But my goal should be (and is) that my spirit man ascend in every contact I have with others. That they see me clothed differently than they are. That I don't have to tell them I'm a Christian because they can see it by how I am dressed spiritually.

Clothing myself in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Placing others before myself. Being enveloped in the likeness of my Lord and Savior. Now that's a fine suit!!