Today we looked at our identity as God’s people and how God has given us clothes to wear that reflect this new identity. (Rom 13:14, Col 3:12-14) Fashion is a very profitable trade these days, and what we wear reflects our identity in many ways, whether that is from national clothing (think of the kilts of Scotland and the Lederhosen and Dirndl dresses of Austria!) or our preferences for posh clothes or pyjamas! The proverb says, ‘clothes make a man’, but in spiritual terms, we need to understand the need to put off our old self and put on the new clothes God provides for us. (Eph 4:22-24)
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed; the need for clothing arose after they sinned, and they made clothes out of fig leaves to cover themselves. (Gen 2:25, Gen 3:7) God realised this was not enough, and so the first animal was slain to provide clothing for humanity, reminding us that we can only approach God now through the sacrifice of Jesus. All our righteous acts are described by Isaiah as ‘filthy rags’ (Is 64:6); without Christ, we are like Cinderella in her rags, unable to attend God’s ball because of our inability to be righteous.
In Christ, however, we are declared righteous (2 Cor 5:21), and God gives us new clothes to wear: a garment of praise, instead of a spirit of despair (Is 61:2) and garments of salvation and a robe of His righteousness to wear. (Is 61:10) We are even given accessories (a crown of beauty instead of ashes and jewels to adorn our head.) In Ezekiel 16, we see a picture of our neediness without God and how His love lavishes all we need on us. (Ezek 16:1-14) We now have clothing to wear that is custom-made with God’s label on it, a new nature that reflects God’s nature. We are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with others and forgiving as Christ has forgiven us, wearing love as our ‘all-purpose garment.’ (Col 3:12-14) We are also called to put on the armour of God so that we can stand in the spiritual battle that is a part of life. (Eph 6:10-20) This armour protects our minds and hearts and enables us to hold up the shield of faith and wield the sword of the Spirit. We are soldiers together in God’s army.
God sees us as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. (Rev 21:2) Our future with Him is great. Our part is to get rid of the old clothes and wear the clothes God has provided for us, becoming who we are in Christ, who God wants us to be.
