TAKE OFF THOSE CLOTHES

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds (Colossians 3:8-9).

In the Scriptures a change of garment is an indication of a change of situation, a change of status, a change of level. When it was time for Joseph’s dream to be fulfilled, “they brought him hastily out of the dungeon, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh” (Genesis 41:14).

When it was time for Elisha to receive the double portion of the spirit of Elijah, He took his own clothes and rent it in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back (2 Kings 2:12b-13a). When Esther was going to receive favour before King Ahaseurus, she put on her royal apparel, “and stood in the inner court of the King’s house…” (Esther 5:1).

When blind Barthemeus, was going to Jesus to receive his sight, he, “casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus” (Mark 10:50). Even Jesus Christ our Lord; having completed His mission on earth, when He was arising from the dead, He cast aside His grave clothes and rose triumphant in victory over sin, hell, death and the grave (John 20:5-7).

A change of garment is necessary to move you into the next level. The old garment never fits for the new status. To move up, there must be a change of garment. Today, God is changing your garment. In living the Christian life, there are things we must put off, because they do not belong to our new status as believers: and there are things we must put on because they constitute our royal apparel (Colossians 3:8-12). May you shine with the beauty of God’s holiness all the days of your life.

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering (Colossians 3:12)