Holy Clothes

Read Colossians, Philemon
 
Colossians 3:12-14 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
 
GOD has brought to you and your household a huge bag of clothes. As you open the bag you discover the various clothes are labeled “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” You are surprised and happy for the gifts. But you’re a bit unsure. So you ask the Father, who gave them to you, “Are all of these for me? What am I to do with them?”
   And his response would be, “Yes, my child, these are for you. I love you and want to give you the best things in life. Put them on. Wear them wherever you go. They will enrich your life and the lives of those around you.”
   As he leaves to deliver his gifts to others, you try on humility. When you do, you realize you have been wrong to be so demanding of others. You put on forgiveness, and you think of someone who hurt you last week with unkind words. Now you call them to tell them you care for them. A bit later you try on goodness and compassion, and they fit perfectly. Your thoughts turn to being more intentional to do what is right. You consider helping your neighbor who is a single parent.
   When you put on patience you remember someone in your church needs a bit of your time. So you stop your agenda and listen to his needs. You kindly offer to pray with him, and God clothes him with comfort.
   Yes, God has brought spiritual clothes for us to wear on our hearts. Wear them with joy. They will enrich your life and help people know the Great Giver.
 
A Practical Application
 
Philemon 10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.
 
PAUL lived into his own teaching. In his appeal to Philemon for Onesimus, Paul wore the clothes of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and forgiveness. Onesimus was a slave who had stolen from Philemon. But Onesimus became a changed man, helpful to Paul. Paul urged Philemon to forgive Onesimus and welcome him home as a brother in Christ. Paul was even willing to pay the cost of Onesimus’ sin.
   Yes, it is appropriate for criminals to pay for their crimes. That is God’s law. But if Philemon would forgive his slave, he would display Jesus’ holy love for all of us who are slaves to sin. Philemon’s forgiveness would affirm his faith in God’s power to transform and restore lives.
   Philemon was a church leader. One good way to lead Jesus’ church is to be a living witness of Jesus’ love and grace.