Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14

Yesterday Paul left me contemplating the vice grip of self and the need to put to death—to mortify—my earthly nature. And today, his solution—change my wardrobe? Hmm.

Let’s say I’m in the process of cleaning out my spiritual closet of vices. Perhaps I do need a few new clothes. After all, a girl has to have something to wear. I begin with the reality of Christ in me, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Paul sharply delineates my standing in Christ: chosen, holy, dearly loved, forgiven. I gladly wear the lacy lingerie of my new life in Christ on my justified soul, the luxurious underpinnings He gave me when I confessed Him as Lord (Romans 10:9). They are mine forever. 

As I venture further into my spiritual closet I find hangars draped with elegant attitudes I admire: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness. I find these are custom made, the fruit of the Spirit of Christ in me. I can leave them hanging on the Spirit’s hangar, or with His help I can dress with an eye for godly style. Which will it be? What will I see when I glance in the mirror of God on the way out of my house every day? Will my clothing please Him in every way?

I strut my stuff, proud as that proverbial peacock until a compelling whisper jolts the fabric of my heart: what about love? All this is window dress if you forget agape love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Love holds your virtues together perfectly. Back into my closet I go. I’m learning my lesson Lord: never leave home without love! 

And that is how we walk worthy of the Lord. We mortify our vices. We put on His wardrobe of virtues with the help of the Spirit, and bind them all together in love. We do it every day!

Nancy P