Need a Style Update?

Every season brings a good excuse to go shopping for something new.

Maybe we learned this as children as we spent the week before school sorting through our clothes - wondering what still fits and what is appropriate attire for the classroom.

Plus, it's always nice to update to the season's "new look"!

A Closet Full of Clothes I Don't Wear

In the New Testament Paul uses the idea of clothes as a way to show us how we are to "take-off" the grave clothes of sin, and "put-on" the grace clothes of our new life in Christ.

. . . for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

Colossians 3:9-10 NLT

I would guess you are just like me. Every morning you stand at the door of your clothes closet frustrated. Your closet is packed full of clothes yet have "nothing to wear"!

So many choices - yet nothing grabs your attention.

Here's what I do in that predicament - I start with my foundation pieces and see what develops from there.

• On casual days I grab my favorite jeans that have a little stretch in the most needed spots for my 60+ curvy figure. I add a white or black T-shirt.
• On dress up days I choose the black, straight-leg slacks and a classic blazer or sweater.

These pieces anchor the outfit for the day and then I add whatever crazy, amazing pieces match my mood - or even more important - the accessories that will complement the destination and activity for the day.

A Style Update

Regardless of what else I put on, I am to wear love.

For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity.

Colossians 3:14 TPT

LOVE is my basic, all-purpose garment for all the other virtues of the Christian life.

When I "put-on" LOVE it has the potential to radically change my relationships. This is the style update I need!

8 Ways to Love

In Colossians 3:12-17 there are attributes and character qualities we are to "put-on" that will build true maturity in us and radically change our relationships.

You start with your foundational piece - LOVE.

Then add accessories that build strong relationships with others:

• tenderhearted mercy
• kindness
• humility & gentleness
• patience
• forgiveness
• ruling peace
• a thankful song
• an authentic life

These are the grace-clothes Paul is teaching us to wear.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:12-14

What relationship in your life needs an extra dose of love, mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience?

In what situations are you having a hard time making allowances for the people who irritate and offend you?

What relationships are stealing your joy and song?