Thoughts for the Day

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 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.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have produced the play of John Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress' a number of times. It has been great fun and a huge learning experience for all concerned. One concern can be what costume should characters wear. Vanity Fair was pretty easy - flashy over-the-top clothes with lots of jewellery and feathers! As for Apollyon, the devil, well a black evening suit with sword stick was perfect for the fight scene. But what should Christian wear? He starts off with a huge symbolic 'burden' on his back (a heavy rucksack) representing his sin. So, should he be dressed in dark colours? But reaching the Celestial City, what does he wear then? The solution was for his clothes to be layered clothing - 'grubby-grey' initially - and then as the sin falls away the costume changes to off-white, and finally white.

We saw yesterday that Paul says that we must give up our bad habits and those things which we do or say or think that are 'earthly'. Having been rescued from our sin by Christ's offering of himself, we need to seek the 'things that are above'. As saints, that is followers of Jesus Christ, we need to change. Our burden of sin has gone - has been forgiven - and slowly, slowly we become less 'dirty' and more 'holy'. (OK if you're like me, this is a continual battle!).

Paul says we must 'clothe ourselves' with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, and learn to forgive others. But above all, clothe ourselves with love. When in doubt about anything (even our thoughts), ask yourself "What would Love do?" Then, slowly, slowly, we shall begin to change into the child God wants us to be.

Heavenly Father,
we thank You for Your
loving kindness to us,
and ask Your help
to turn away from those things
that separate us from You.
May we learn to look at others
through the eyes of love,
and begin to change into
the person You would have us be.
Amen.