Wednesday, February 11, 2015

What Are You Wearing Today?

There are several, common sayings about clothing. ‘The clothes make the man.’ ‘Dress for success.’ These are just two. First impressions are often determined in part by the attire that we have chosen to wear.
Every morning we get up and choose what will wear for today. Work attire maybe a uniform, dress clothes or casual. Whichever it is, we reach for that outfit and put it on. When we stand before our closets deciding which clothing we will put on for the day, we are making a decision about how we will be perceived by everyone we see. The clothes that we put on do not change the person we are. Our true identity is constant, whether we are wearing dress clothes, casual or even pajamas. We are who we truly are inside.
The same is true of God. He is the almighty King of the universe at all times. Regardless of what anyone thanks or says about Him, He remains supreme. He wears clothes of royalty.  “The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is robed, He has girded Himself with strength and power; the world also is established, that it cannot be moved.” (Psalms 93:1 AMP) God rules at all times.
Jesus was still all God when He walked this earth. He took off the royal appearance and put on humility in the appearance of man. “ But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.  And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!” (Philippians 2:7-8 AMP) He was no less God but chose to dress in the skin of man instead of the robes of majesty.
We have been made royalty when we became children of God. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 AMP) Spiritually we wear the robes of royalty yet we are told to put on humility.   (Philippians 2:5 AMP)
Another item of clothing that we are to take out of our spiritual closet is love. Love and concern for others must be worn at all times. “And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].” (Colossians 3:14 AMP) This may not always be the easiest piece of clothing to wear when others are difficult to serve. But considering the great love of Jesus we can choose to keep wearing love.
 Praise and so much more have been given to us by the sacrifice of Jesus. He stated that He was sent, “To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3 AMP) We have been given beauty, joy and praise to wear. We can wear them proudly as signs of royalty and bring glory to our father, the king.
 The armor given to us by the Holy Spirit is unseen apparel that we must wear daily.  “Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.(Ephesians 6:11 AMP) The lies and attacks that come against us cannot stand up to the armor we have been given.
Whether God is dressed as a man as Jesus was when He walked this earth, in full battle array or sitting on the throne, shining in all His splendor at the final judgment, He remains unchangeable. “For I am the Lord, I do not change;” (Malachi 3:6a AMP) Even if others see our acts of kindness and humility as displays of weakness rather than kingly obedience to the Almighty King, our royal identity remains intact.

What will you wear today? What will others see?

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