Clothes are very important to us. I did a Google search and found this Motley Fool article published on www.nasdaq.com July 26, 2022, stating that each American household spends about $1500/year on clothes and related services. I also found this article, from the NY Times published August 26, 1979, discussing a number of psychologic analytics about clothing, which one may or may not agree with. I do think there is some truth in this sentence from the article. “Clothes send out an endless variety of messages about who we are, what we feel, and which group we belong to.” Today we are going to return to Colossians chapter 3 and talk about new clothes - putting on a new self in the image of Christ. Clothes that change us, define who we are, how we feel, and what group we belong to.

But before we get into that, by way of reminder, Paul wrote to the Colossians and prayed that they would walk in a manner of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of the Lord (1:10). He encouraged them, that as they had received Christ Jesus the Lord, to so walk in Him; to be rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as they were taught, abounding with thanksgiving (2:6). We’ll see today that thanksgiving is an important part of the Christian life. Paul encouraged them with the preeminence of Christ and warned the Colossians not to be taken captive and deceived by human philosophy (2:8-15), legalism (2:16-17), asceticism and worship of angels (2:18-23) that were creeping in and a danger to their faith and to the church. In chapter 3, Paul then turns to practical application. In this passage, we see that Paul gives us instruction on how to walk in a manner worthy of the preeminence of Christ. To help remember these instructions I used some alliteration with S’s. Paul instructed the Colossians and us to seek and set our minds on things that are above and to slay the old self. We covered that when I last preached in August. Today we are going to pick up where we left off and see that Paul tells us to suit up with the new self or to put on new clothes. He also gives us 4 practical steps of how to do this. Before we get into the suiting up and the steps to do so, by further review, last time we looked at 6 theological truths that remind us of the privileged position we have in Christ and that motivate us to walk in a manner worthy of our position and calling and to seek and set our minds on things that are above where Christ is. These include: 1) the preeminence of Christ summarized in v 11, “Christ is all, and in all.” 2) Our former condition in which we walked/lived and were under God’s wrath (v6 &7). 3) Our current condition of being chosen, holy, and beloved (v12). 4) Our union with Christ -having died and having been raised with Him (v1 &3). 5) The fact that we are hidden with Christ in God (v3), that we are secure in Him and have all the treasures stored up in Him. And 6) that we will appear with Christ when he appears in glory (v4). So, we possess a very privileged position in Christ. And Paul tells us to seek and set our minds on Him, so that we are able to live up to this privileged status. Doing so involves slaying or putting to death or putting off or putting away our old self along with its idolatrous practices and sinful heart attitudes of covetousness which lead to evil desires and passions, impure thoughts, and sexual immorality and to put away anger, malice, slander, obscene talk, and lying.

We also began looking at what I like to call the replacement principle, replacing or putting off the old self and putting on the new self. The Christian life, the process of sanctification and becoming conformed to the image of Christ, is not just about stopping sinning, or not doing something we are not supposed to do. It is, more importantly, about doing what we are supposed to do, living up to the justified status that we enjoy; and living out the holy life we have been given in Christ. We must not only slay or put to death or put off the old self/nature, but we must also suit up with or put on the new self/nature. So, let’s look at what Paul has to say about that and 4 steps on how to suit up with our new clothes.

To review and get the full context, I’ll read Colossians 3:1-17:

3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

⁵ Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ On account of these the wrath of God is coming. ⁷ In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. ⁸ But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. ¹¹ Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

¹² Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

So, v 10 tells us that we must slay or put off the old self. But that is not all we must do. We must also suit up with or put on the new self. The Greek word for put on, enduo, literally means to sink into a garment or enclothe.

So, what are these new clothes that we are to put on like? One type of clothing we are told to put on or suit up with is the whole armor of God (Eph 6:11-18) so that we can stand firm against the schemes of the devil. That’s another sermon for another day. In this passage, we are told our new suit/clothes we put on is to be renewed in knowledge after the image of our creator. Eph 4:24 adds

Eph 4:23-24 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

So, this new self/suit/clothes is created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness c/w v 12)

And Romans 13:14 tells us these new clothes are like Christ:

¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

If we put on Christ, we must put off our old clothes/self.

This transformation is a work of the Holy Spirit and His word:

Paul wrote in Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

In Luke 24:49, before His ascension into heaven, Jesus said He was sending the promise of the Father (the Holy Spirit c/w Act 1:8) and that we would be clothed with power from on high.

And Peter wrote:

2Pe 1:3  His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4  by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

So, as we renew our minds by the divine power of the Holy Spirit and His word, we put on new clothes and we are able to escape our sinful desires that characterized our old self and we become a new person, a new creation.

2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

God’s desire for us in our new clothes is to be like Christ, renewed in knowledge after the image of our creator.

Just as our old self was characterized by sinful heart attitudes resulting in evil desires and actions, the new self with new clothes is characterized by renewed heart attitudes and actions. Paul fleshes this out further in v 3:12-14. The things Paul mentions here for us to put on, closely mirror the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22-23 and the blessed attitudes in Mat 5:3-11. I would also refer you to Rom 12:9-21, 13:8-14 (which we read in our NT reading); Eph 4:1-3, 24-32; and 2 Pet 1:5-8. In v14 Paul tells us to put on love (agape). A love of the will. A love where we decide to love our neighbor and our brothers and sisters as God has loved us. 1Jn 4:19 We love because he first loved us. And Paul says love binds everything together in perfect harmony. If we have the love of Christ in us, we will love others and we can put on the things Paul mentions in v12-13 and they will naturally flow out of us.

In v 12, Paul starts out telling us to put on compassionate hearts, or as my favorite translation of this Greek phrase (splagchnon oiktirmos) bowels of mercies in the KJV. The Hebrews knew that emotions affect our guts. We sometimes use the phrase “gut wrenching” when we hear about some hardship or tragedy that has happened and we have compassion on those who are affected. Think of the compassion Jesus had for the Jews, the crowds, the sick, the blind, and the lame (Mt 9:36, 14:14, 15:22, 20:34); and the parables He told about compassion, or the lack thereof, of the good Samaritan (Luk 10:25-37), the prodigal son (Luk 15:11-32), and the unforgiving servant (Mat 18:21-35). If we are motivated by love and have bowels of mercy or compassionate hearts, we will reach out to others with kindness and return blessings for insults.

Rom 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Rom 12:20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Jesus said: (Mat 5:38-44) 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

(also 1 Th 5:15, 1 Pet 3:9).

If we are humble, we will be meek toward others and consider their interests ahead of our own:

Php 2:1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2  complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

With these new clothes and the fruit of the Spirit, we will be gentle rather than angry and wrathful. We will be patient and long suffering, and we will bear with one another and be willing to forgive as Christ has forgiven us.

Gal 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Eph 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Eph 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Back to v 14, tying it all together, we should love others as Christ has loved us. Another a way Paul put it is:

1Co 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5  or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6  it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸ Love never ends. 

In short, if we seek and set our minds on things that are above where Christ is, as Gal 3:27 says, we put on Christ and begin to act like Him demonstrating love, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and forgiveness.

Back to the introductory article, You Are What You Wear: Read extended quote from Washed by God by Karl Deenick p127-128. That’s the kind of clothes this passage is talking about.

So, to summarize what we’ve discussed so far, we want to put off/away or slay our old self/clothes and put on or suit up with the new self/clothes. Show summary slide of Replacement Principle

So how do we replace or put on or suit up with these new clothes? In v15-17, Paul gives us 4 practical steps of how to suit up with or put on the new self. First, we are to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.

Rom 5: 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

And because we have peace with God, we can make peace with others.

Eph 2:12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14  For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15  by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16  and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17  And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18  For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

So, Jesus came to give us peace, but also to destroy the hostility that so often divides people so that we can be at peace with others, especially fellow believers.

And God has given us a ministry of reconciliation in which we are to pursue peace with others:

2 Cor 5:19-21 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

And Rom 12:18 tells us: If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

This verse (15) tells us to let this peace of Christ rule in our hearts. Rule (brabeuo) means to arbitrate or to umpire. V 11 and v15 tell us we are called into one body of Christ. There are no ethnic or social differences. Christ is all and in all of us. And in Galatians Paul wrote:

Gal 3:26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27  For as many of you

as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

In reality, we know that we are not always at peace with others, sadly, even in the church. Ethnic and social differences still often separate us. There are often differences in opinions in how we live out our lives and this causes division and separation. So, motivated by Christ’s love and the peace that he has brought to us with Himself, we must let that peace rule in our hearts and help us decide what is OK and what is not OK. Remember, Christ is all and in all (v11). Let us boast in Christ who unites us, not in distinctives that divide us.

The second step: we are to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly (v16):

Job 23:12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.

Psa 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Jer 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.

God’s word is, and should be, more precious to us than food. Moses wrote:

Deu 8:3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. (c/w Mat 4:4, Luk 4:4)

And although, reading/meditating/memorizing and feasting on God’s word is of great benefit to us, it is not just for our benefit; it is for the benefit of others, especially the body of Christ. We are told to teach (didasko) - to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them (Thayer) and admonish (noutheteo) to put in mind, that is, (by implication) to caution or reprove gently: - admonish, warn (Strong) with God’s word.

Parents listen to:

Deu 6:6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Look for everyday opportunities, even in small moments, to teach your children about God and train them in godliness.

All of us can use God’s word for the benefit of others:

Pro 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

With the goal that we be conformed into the image and be mature in Christ:

Col 1:28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching (same/similar verbs) everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

In addition to hiding/teaching/admonishing with God’s word, we can encourage and build one another up through singing (c/w Eph 5:19). The whole book of Psalms records praises to God and provide examples for us to sing. As we saw in Psalm 47 that Nate preached on a few weeks ago:

Psa 47:6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! 7  For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!

I suspect the emphasis here on singing is not so much about different genres of songs, but is because at that time, most people could not read. And those that could, most did not have Scripture, and the Canon was not completed. We all know that singing is a good way to remember things, think of advertising jingles. I don’t know how many times Libby and my kids have had to listen to me break out with some silly ditty from my childhood memory of these jingles. Remember the Triple Dent gum jingle in the movie Inside Out? Anyway, singing is a good way to teach, especially our children. Also, remember for those of us who are not gifted musically, this is something we should work at, as we will be doing a lot of singing throughout eternity (Rev 5:9, 14:3, 15:3)

Thirdly we are to do everything, whether in word or action, in the name of the Lord Jesus (v17). If we keep our eyes on Him and seek the things above, we will be less likely to serve our own interests and align our desires with His desires. We will have His mind and honor Him in all that we do and say.

As we learned in the recent James series Nate preached, we are to be doers of the word, not hearers only (1:22) and Jas 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Later in chapter 3 of Colossians, when discussing master/slave relationships, which would most closely parallel employer/employee relationships in our day, Paul tells us in v 23-24

Col 3:23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

And in 1 Cor 10, in the context of disputable matters of conscience among fellow believers, Paul says, 1Co 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

But what does that mean, to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. Well one thing it means is to do all things without grumbling or complaining:

Php 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15  that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Let me tell you, if you do that in our day, you will shine and you will make an impression on people.

As we have been learning, we need to replace grumbling and disputing/complaining with something: Thankfulness. Which leads to the fourth step: to be thankful. In each of these last 3 verses thankful/thankfulness/thanks (eucharistos/charis/eucharisteo) are mentioned. The words mean to express gratitude or joy especially for the gifts, provision, and benefits we have been given by God. People often say, “I want to know what God’s will is for my life.” Well, here’s a verse that answers that and it is to give thanks.

1Th 5:16 Rejoice always, 17  pray without ceasing, 18  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Eph 5:20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

So, in closing, let’s remember to seek and set our minds on things that are above. Let’s take the practical steps, to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and to be thankful. With these steps that Paul outlines, we can slay the old and suit up with the new so that we walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.

Here are some application questions to ponder:

Am I united with Christ in His death and resurrection? (make gospel appeal. Do you want new clothes?)

If you are united with Christ, what habits can I develop to help me seek and set my mind on things that are above? (memorize God’s word)

What habits do I need to change so I’m not distracted from seeking the things above? (less time on internet, movies, etc)

What heart attitudes and actions from my old self do I need to slay or put off? (Ask God to reveal the idols in our hearts that need to be torn down)

What heart attitudes and actions of my new self do I need to suit up with or put on? (Am I loving, compassionate, humble, kind, and patient? Am I holding a grudge or bitterness against someone that instead I need to forgive? Ask God to show you where you need to grow in this.)

What can I do in CTR, and the other communities of which I am a part, to create a culture of peace where Christ is all an in all? (Am I always wanting my way? Do I think I am better than others who come from different backgrounds, social status or have different skin colors? Are there secondary issues of the Christian faith that I am letting hinder the unity of the body of Christ? Ask God to help you have discernment and as much as possible, live at peace with others.)

What practices can I develop/improve to let the word of Christ dwell in me richly? (Go to bed and get up earlier to spend in prayer/Scripture/with God. Scripture memory programs, Bible studies, etc )

Whom in my sphere of influence can I intentionally disciple and encourage? (Ask God to bring someone to mind or in your life for this. For parents, the most obvious would be your children. Work on the replacement principle. In addition to discipling your children when they disobey, train them to obey. If they are being loud, work with them to be quiet. When they are griping and complaining, train them to be thankful. Of course, we might have to work on this ourselves.)

How can I develop my singing skills? (I can’t help you much with this, but I know Pastor Nate, clay an d Nathan are passionate about this, practice the songs that are sent out as a family)

What would it look like to speak and to do my school, household chores, work, parenting, etc. in the name of the Lord Jesus? (Ask God to change our responses to our teachers/employers/parents. Remember that we are working for the Lord.)

What steps can I take to create a culture of thankfulness in my life, family, and church? (Write down each day things to be thankful for, ask your spouse or friend to point out to you when you aren’t being thankful and should be, meditate on Psalms)

So, put on new clothes, put on Christ, and let’s show the world we are His disciples by our love for one another.