What to wear, what to wear…
What we wear can represent not only our style but also our attitude toward a situation or individual. Even the Bible makes statements about clothing – sometimes literal, sometimes symbolic.
The first biblical reference to clothing relates to Adam and Eve’s new sights in response to their first rebellion against God. Their sinful condition motivated them to sew together fig leaves to cover themselves (Genesis 3:7). Their human attempt to cover sin was not sufficient. Our attempts never are. Adam and Eve’s sin caused the holy God to banish them from the Garden of Eden, and God “made garments of skin” for them (Genesis 3:21).
The last biblical reference to clothing is in Revelation 22:14 when Jesus says, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city” (NIV). We are cleansed by the blood of Christ, the sacrificial Lamb of God. About believers surrendered to him, 1 Corinthians 9:11 reads, “… you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (NIV).
The apostles wrote to believers about clothing ourselves in order to live out God’s commands and be sanctified through the Holy Spirit’s work in us. “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved” we are to clothe ourselves with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12 NIV). Such garments of love, so to speak, are evidence of our love for God as he has loved us.
Our caring, protective Father also provides us with clothing for spiritual warfare. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:11-12 NIV, letter P in Keep on Track). The spiritual realm is more than meets our eyes, so we need to be proactive by standing firm in our faith, dressed to guard ourselves against the enemy and share the gospel of Christ.
In Ephesians 6:13-17, the apostle Paul lists the necessary pieces of armor: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With all the options for clothing, let’s choose carefully what to wear as we represent the God who gives us salvation.
Why not try Keep on Track to help you focus on God’s ways each day?