Our Clothing Really Matters
At first glance, one might assume this article is designed to highlight the importance of how we dress or how we should not dress. There is certainly something very right in teaching ourselves and others the importance of modest dress (I Timothy 2:9). Parents have a serious responsibility of helping their children know what is and what is not appropriate to wear, especially given the influences of the world. There's also something to be said regarding what we wear when we come to worship God. Since we "dress up" or "dress our best" for "important'" things in life, it seems that having a similar mindset when we worship the Creator isn't too much to ask.
The focus herein, however, is to consider another aspect of our clothing as outlined by the apostle Paul. He wrote, "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ" (Galatians 3:27). While we have the option of choosing what color to wear, what pants to put on, or what shoes will go with our outfit, we do not have the option of going without our spiritual clothing. Each day we live as Christians is a day that we are clothed with Christ. Paul's word choice in Galatians 3:27 literally means that we are to "sink into" the garment of Christ. As with a favorite shirt that we want to wear all the time, God is the article of clothing that should never come off!
Being clothed with the Savior means that we have an attitude that is different from the world. Fighting pride is a key part of that attitude and that means we have to work at being humble. It's fitting, then, that Peter tells us that we are all to be "clothed with humility" as, in order to be like Christ, we have to be humble like Him (I Peter 5:5). Regardless of what we look like on the outside, our inward appearance matters more to God and our conscientious decision to align ourselves with Him and the example of His Son will pay off.
Our clothing really matters. If we don't wear Christ, no one else will. If we don't speak of His grace and salvation, then no one will hear about what He provides. Let us be certain that each day we live is a day that we know what we'll put on. In fact, let's "wear out" our garment so that the world sees how much we like our clothing and how beneficial it can be for them.