Last week in her post titled, When Your Old Clothes Don’t Fit, Lisa Burgess likened Colossians 3: 8-10 to a wardrobe makeover. When we commit our lives to Jesus, we are clothed anew in Christ, in His righteousness. I love what she shared,
We are renewed because of who Jesus is, not because of who we are. –Lisa Burgess
Today, we take a closer look at what being “clothed in Christ” means as we study Colossians 3: 11-13.
Colossians 3:11
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Identity
First, Paul draws attention to our new identity in Christ. We are no longer divided by nationality, socio-economic status, or culture, rather, we are one people united by faith. Focused on Christ, differences cease to divide us because He “is all.” In Christ, our diversity is not diluted but made more alive as we use our unique qualities, backgrounds, and gifts to edify each other for Christ’s glory.
Colossians 3:12
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts,
kindness, humility, meekness, and patience….
Character
Secondly, along with our identity in Christ we adorn ourselves with His character. He sacrificed himself and bore our sin so we might wear His righteousness. The attributes Paul lists in verse twelve are attributes of Christ, and the verb phrase, “Put on then,” is a directive. The preacher, Charles Spurgeon, exhorted:
This is what you have got to wear, even on the outside — to put it on; not to have a latent kindness in your heart, and a degree of humbleness deep down in your soul if you could get at it; but you are to put it on. – Charles Spurgeon
Of course, renewal does not happen all at once. Transformation occurs over time and in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. Regular rhythms of prayer, scripture study, and Bible memorization direct our hearts and minds to conform to Christ. With our new clothes we can “be Christ” to the world.
Colossians 3:13
…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.
Action
Thirdly, dressed in Christ’s righteousness, because of who He is and what He has done for us, we forgive those who wrong us. “Bearing with” means to endure. We do this when we continue to engage despite a person or circumstances being difficult. “Forgive” means to give graciously. Forgiveness is our action to cancel the debt owed. How far do we go to forgive? We follow Jesus all the way to the cross. Underscoring this, Charles Spurgeon said,
Just as readily, just as freely, just as heartily, just as completely. — Charles Spurgeon
Final Thoughts
Finally, being clothed in Christ renews our identity, character, and action. No longer focused on the world, we set our hearts on Christ by seeking unity in the body of Christ, putting on His righteousness, and forgiving others as He has graciously forgiven us.
Thanks for sharing this.