The fashion industry generates billions of dollars every year so individuals can express themselves through their clothing. Some wear clothes with trendy labels which state, “I am wealthy enough to afford this expensive outfit.” Others declare their lifestyle, profession or ethnicity by what they wear. Unfortunately, we often judge someone by how they are dressed rather than discovering their true inner character before drawing conclusions about them.

  In Romans 13:14, the apostle Paul uses the analogy of donning clothing to describe how we are to display outwardly what has already taken place inwardly. “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” This verse sums up the alteration of behavior resulting from the outworking of an inner life transformed by Christ.

 Unlike physical attire, clothing ourselves with Christ changes us from the inside out. When we come to Christ in repentance of our sins we are shedding our old way of life so He can clothe us in new behavior reflecting His image and likeness. This process is called sanctification; a continual transformation of our inner person by the spirit of Christ, demonstrated by positive outward conduct.

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” ~ Eph. 4:22-24

Picture a young woman dressed in filthy rags, unwashed and unsavoury. If she is offered a fragrant bubble bath and a beautiful new dress to wear, would she not accept them gladly? She most likely feels unworthy and debased by the rags and filth. Now, washed and finely clothed, she shines with inner and outer beauty. But first she had to take off the dirty clothes, wash, then put on the new clothes.

When we are united with Christ through faith in Him, He makes us a “new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” ~ 2 Cor. 5:17. With the power of Christ’s spirit at work within us, we are called upon to “take off” our old, sinful ways and “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” ~ Col. 3:10. Out of love for Him, a new life in Christ compels us to make every effort to live in a godly way, turning from previous sin to embrace holy attributes. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” ~ Col. 3:12           In today’s world, a designer label may draw positive attention, but being clothed in Christ arrays us in a robe of righteousness that far outshines any earthly garment.