Day 16 Devotion
Day 16
HOW IS MY SPIRITUAL DRESS? OR WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?
By Linda Dieter
Col. 3:12—14 “Clothe yourselves therefore as God’s own chosen ones, purified, holy and well-beloved by God Himself…”
Put on the garment of tenderhearted pity and mercy. This is challenging us as to how we handle unpleasant circumstances. Are we quick to judge, or do we reach out in true tenderness and mercy? “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.” Mercy is real compassion, possible only with hearts full of love for all people as Jesus was. We must be true to our own convictions and not be influenced by how others view the situation. Paul exhorts us to answer to our own conscience.
Clothe yourselves in kind feeling. Think how healing it is to our emotions when someone has been kind to us. Oh, if we would truly do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Our Father asks this of us. Another piece of clothing – a lowly opinion of ourselves, true humility. Let Jesus be the One to reveal our goodness, not ourselves. After all, any goodness comes from Him and not from us.
The next piece of clothing speaks volumes to me. Be patient, be tireless and long-suffering. If we do this, we will have the power to endure whatever comes (with good temper). That good temper is what I must focus on. Clothe yourselves with gentleness. Picture how you hold a newborn baby or care for a child with a fresh hurt. Put on forgiveness. Be quick to forgive and do it from the heart.
Lastly and most importantly, put on love. I encourage you to ponder I Corinthians 13: 4 – 7, checking how much of your flesh is still on the throne. What if we did this spiritual dress daily? Would we not be that light of Jesus in a dark world? Would we not be helping to give hope to a hurting world? Talk about attracting others!
