As we continue our exploration of Colossians we turn now to what might be its most familiar passage, Colossians 3.12-17. It’s quite appropriate at weddings, baptisms, and a good reminder in general about the Christian life. I invite you to read Colossians 3.12-17 and explore Paul’s advice on getting dressed in the morning.
After Paul talked about dying and rising with Christ, setting our minds where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, and putting to death our earthly desires he leads into this section with an important therefore. Everything that came before what Paul says now is important, and leads us to respond in this way as God’s chosen people.
For most of us getting dressed is second nature, we don’t even have to think about what we are doing as we put our clothes on. Now, credit, some of us just throw things on, others think very carefully about how to coordinate their look for the day. And on some occasions we pull out that suit, or tuxedo, or fancy dress in order to be dressed appropriately for a certain event.
Paul wants us to make sure our wardrobe matches our life in Christ. He urges the new Christians in Colossae to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And above all, Paul tells them to put on love to bring everything together perfectly.
I know, and you know, Paul isn’t talking about literal clothes. He isn’t discussing your work clothes, or your church clothes, your wedding clothes, or your workout clothes. What matters to Paul is that we are formed in and displaying these virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love. There isn’t a moment in our lives when these clothes will be out of place.
These virtues become as second nature to us as putting clothes on in the morning when we let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. When Christ is on the throne in our hearts, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love naturally flow out of us. As Jesus talked about in the gospels, what comes out our mouths, the things we say and do come from our heart, both evil and good.
The question becomes, is Christ ruling in your heart? What clothes are you wearing?
May everything you do, whether in word or deed be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.
For our hymn prayer today, I leave you with lyrics from “Take my life”
Take my life, and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in ceaseless praise,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move
at the impulse of your love.
Take my feet, and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing,
always, only for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as you should choose,
every power as you should choose.
Take my will, and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is thine own,
it shall be your royal throne,
it shall be your royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord I pour
at your feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only all for thee,
ever, only all for thee.
Grace and Peace to you, Amen.