So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
~Colossians 3:12-14
Showing my Gen X colors here, but there was a time when “dress for success” was a thing. Going to work meant putting on a suit and tie or fitted skirt and crisp blouse. The idea was that you dressed sharp to display a positive attitude of competence and ambition. We dressed for the position we wanted, staying goal-focused in thought, word, and action. You could say that, generally, the workforce dressed to reflect their professional calling and personal aspiration.
Even before the insanity of 2020, there was a marked deterioration of attire. “Casual Fridays” became a daily thing…I even recall when my boss at the time announced that leggings were allowed at the office. At. The. Office. Of course, mandated work-from-home led to a more rapid decline in professional demeanor (not just in apparel either). These days, as I sip my morning coffee and look out the window at the middle- and high-school kids walking out to the bus stop, I’m seeing a brand-new degradation: Every boy, every day, dons pajamas and Crocs. Going. To. School. Yup, the school-aged and professionals alike are clothed in manner that not only strays from ambition but seems to exhibit apathy and laziness. I digress.
As the Apostle Paul exhorts believers, he’s very adamant that we dress for success—taking off the offensive clothes that reek of our old sin-loving self and former ways to put on ones that reflect our new identity in Christ. See, we’re made new in our salvation, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:17-24), so we can’t possibly put on Christ (Galatians 3:27) when we’re still wrapped up in filthiness.
What clothing items do we need to remove, exactly? According to Paul’s respective letters to the Colossians (chapter 3) and Ephesians (chapter 4), these include: lying, stealing, obscene talk, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice. (Um, ouch.) Once we put those clothes in the trash (don’t even think about donating them!), what is Paul’s “what-to-wear” wardrobe advice?
We are to put on truth, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, forgiveness, patience. And you know how every outfit needs that one element that pulls it altogether—a great jacket, for instance? Paul has similar instruction for our Christlike ensemble: “And above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:14).
Friend, this wardrobe transformation can be tough, as those old familiar clothes can be really comfy (even though they offend others). And it’s tempting to pull an item or two out of the garbage. But when we surrender our lives to Jesus, we get our own personal shopper, so to speak—the Holy Spirit residing in us, who gladly empowers us dress in accordance with who we are in Christ (not were). Will we be perfect this side of heaven? Nope. But we can clothe ourselves in a way that reflects our true calling, our ultimate glorious ambition. Every single day let’s wake up and dress for success.
Heavenly Father, thank You for making me new in Christ, holy and beloved! May I daily put on a wardrobe that reflects Your love, forgiveness, and grace.
encouraged by grace 