Clothe Yourself
If God is Spirit and Truth then He wears different clothing than we do. The Word of God can show us what it means to clothe ourselves spiritually so that others see God when they see us.
“Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them...and will be consecrated to your God. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God."
Numbers 15:12, 14, 37-41
God spoke through Moses and taught the people to design their clothes in such a way that they would be constantly reminded of their relationship with Him. It is similar to why many people might have a cross necklace, tattoo with scripture, or other garment that serves to remind us of God when we see it.
At a level deeper than what we physically wear, we have an opportunity to clothe ourselves spiritually. Paul wrote of putting on the armor of God and the clothes of Christ. What will people see when they see you today? It has been said that you might be the only Bible that anyone ever reads. What will they read with what you wear? Are you focused on fashion or faithfulnesss? Our culture loves to tell us what is trendy or looks good. The humor of fashion is that it is cyclical and fades. Let us know look like the world around us. God calls us to consecrate ourselves. Consecration is to set something apart for a purpose. How does what you wear and your attitude reflect how you have been set apart?
“May your priests be clothed with your righteousness; may your faithful people sing for joy...I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy. I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”
Psalms 132:9, 15-16, 18
David sings of clothing yourself with righteousness, salvation, and a crown of glory. When you woke up today did you think about how Jesus wants to adorn you with beauty? Do you see yourself as beautiful? You should. God says you are His masterpiece.
More often we focus on our imperfections and what we are not. Part of the process of maturing in faith and experiencing the transformation of new life in Christ is shedding your grave clothes. You were dead in sin and now you are alive in Christ. Just like Lazarus who walked out of the tomb and shed his grave clothes, so too we are to clothe ourselves with the joy of our salvation. What would this look like to you? How does your outward appearance reflect your internal transformation?
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar...Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”
Proverbs 30:5-9
Why would Solomon pray this prayer? Would you say the same prayer? How many of us pray to not have too much? Wisdom tells Solomon that when he starts to desire created things over His Creator his heart can go astray. If we clothe ourselves with envy, deceit, comparison, lust, offense, or selfish ambition we do not glorify God. We can fool ourselves, but God knows our hearts. How could Solomon's wisdom help shape how you approach today and help clothe you with freedom clothing?
“Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the Lord called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”
Ezekiel 9:3-5, 11
Ezekiel has a vision of a cherubim making it very obvious who is faithful to God and who is not. The people who love the detestable things are those who are unfaithful to what God has said honors Him or aligns with His ways. Can you think of anything you have seen that angers or is detestable that you have seen in the world around you? How are you avoiding getting influenced by how others choose to live that draws you away from God?
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you."
Romans 16:17-18, 20, 25-27
One of the most attractive garments that you can wear is the garment of grace. Jesus wore grace every day. He chose to meet people where they are with grace and compassion. To the afflicted, He brought healing. To the comfortable, He brought heavenly truth. Grace is getting what you do not deserve because of the heart of the giver of grace.
Paul warns against the clothing of conflict. One of the best weapons of the enemy is the easy trap of offense and bitterness that comes with conflict. He loves to sprinkle on a heavy dose of shame and guilt afterwards to make sure that you are reminded of how you fall short. Jesus has a better look for you. Just like the Israelites who wore a tassel, Jesus wants you to wear the garment of gratitude. He knows that if we will daily remember all that He has done for us, our lives will naturally radiate with the joy of our salvation. This is a joy that unites us with God and gives us a heart of love towards others.
What will you choose to put on today? How will what others see externally reflect what Jesus has done, is doing, and will do internally by bringing healing, wholeness, and hope to your life? Let all that you wear, physically and spiritually, give glory to God and remind them of His goodness.