CLOTHED IN CHRISTLIKENESS

Recently, we saw some women from India wearing gorgeous, silken saris. They were completely wrapped in luxurious cloth, literally clothed in beauty. We are to be clothed in the virtues of Jesus Christ. Just as we consciously put on the armor of the Lord (Ephesians 6) each morning, we should also don compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. This cannot be done in our own strength. We must walk closely with the Lord and allow him to enrobe us in His righteousness. We are to forgive as the Lord forgave us. Quite a statement. He forgave us completely on the cross even though we were not deserving and had not yet asked for forgiveness. He did not wait for us to earn His forgiveness in any way, shape, or form. Nor should we demand a changed life of our brothers and sisters before we extend forgiveness.

Paul uses the same verb translated “clothe” in verse 12 for “put on” in verse 14. Remember the saris the women were wearing?

sari – sari, also spelled saree, principal outer garment of women of the Indian subcontinent, consisting of a piece of often brightly coloured, frequently embroidered, silk, cotton, or, in recent years, synthetic cloth five to seven yards long. It is worn wrapped around the body with the end left hanging or used over the head as a hood.

Encyclopedia Brittanica

Love is to be our beautiful, elegant sari, worn over all the other virtues of Christ. The love of Christ emanating from us will catch the eye of many who need to know him as those saris caught our eyes. Allow Jesus’s love to flow from you like the beautifully flowing silk of a sari, and He will draw people into His family through you.

List some loving actions to be woven into your “sari” of Jesus’s love. We’ll start you out with listening to or praying for a friend, helping a neighbor, sending an encouragement note . . .

Father, help us to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ each day. Help us to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient with our co-workers, family, friends, and especially those who need to see You in us. Help us to forgive others as Jesus forgave us and help us to be draped in the beauty of your love.