From The Desk of:

A Soul That Is Well Dressed Is Blessed

   Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-33, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things, the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” For the developing mind, clothing and apparel take precedence over everything. I recall how in grade school, everyone wanted to show off their new clothing as if they had paid for it. In all actuality, their parents paid for their clothing, and they were blessed to wear and model them.

   Our problem with clothing has always been maintaining them. Jesus spoke of “moth” destroying clothing and “rust” destroying treasure in Matthew 6:19. One can find themselves spending a treasure on apparel and upkeep. For the child of God, God clothes us with something better than what He gave Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden, “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them” (Gen. 3:21). God can take care of the upkeep the way that he does with the universe by upholding all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3).

    For that mind and soul that is maturing. There is now only one outfit you need; it is Christ Jesus. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:14). Christ is the inner garment that outshines jewelry and makes any brand of clothing irrelevant. It is no longer about what I wear but how I live with myself and among others. It is now about who lives in me. We become the brand of Christ. “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20). With regular clothing, you can provoke someone to want to buy it. Putting on Christ will encourage someone to want to be saved. It will cost them nothing because Christ made the sacrifice. However, everyone must surrender.

   Have you been baptized? One must know what Christ had done for the world and respond to His Sacrifice through baptism. Are you a Christian and have forgotten that you have put Christ Jesus on in baptism? The whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11) helps us fight against the wiles of the devil. Knowing we have put on Christ helps us live. The child of God strives not to defile their garments (Rev. 3:4). Live for Christ and feel good about it.

©3/18/2023, Courtney Henderson