ConneXus Blog

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: Colossians 3:12—“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

"The truth is, many of us go around thinking we are right about everything.  When God was in the Garden, I'll bet Adam and Eve didn't know what it felt like to want to be right.  I'll be they felt right all the time, and I'll bet it had nothing to do with what they knew and everything to do with who they knew, as though whatever it was inside them that said they didn't think right or feel right or believe right was activated only after God left." - Donald Miller, 'Searching For God Knows What'

Can you even imagine what it would be like to not know sin?  Can you imagine not being able to comprehend the concept of right and wrong?  In perfect Eden, there was no need to fight for or find righteousness, because Adam and Eve were already clothed in the righteousness of God; they were freed from both guilt and sin. 

It was only after they listened to the voice of that deceiving snake and ate from the fruit of the tree of good and evil that their eyes were opened and scripture tells us "they realized they were naked”.  At that very moment they were essentially striped of God’s righteousness and they became aware of their nakedness—devoid of God and their sin was exposed.

One of my favorite verses is found in the book of Colossians.  Paul describes a few small but mighty characteristics saying that we should “clothe” ourselves with these essential items – compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Clothed in these ‘must haves’ and by the power of God at work in us, we are restored.

Becoming aware of our nakedness before God is the first step in the process of being restored by his righteousness.  When our spiritual eyes are opened and we recognize that we have no right-ness of our own, we then can emotionally, mentally, and spiritually choose to be clothed in the Lord’s protective covering and stand firm.

Perhaps you are questioning the spiritual clothing you are wearing today.  Perhaps now is even an appropriate time to take a quick inventory to assess whether you are dressed in his righteousness today.

Ask yourself, today am I being compassionate?

Am I showing kindness to others?

Is my attitude humble and my approach  in speech and actions gentle?

Am I being patient?

God is ready at all time to cover you with his wonderful righteousness.  Allow Him the opportunity to cover you today!