My daughter, Jessika, developed an interest in fashion, but she didn’t start out that way. In her younger years, she didn’t care much about her hair or what she wore. Then, in her junior year of high school, she competed in the Junior Miss pageant where she learned how to walk in high heels and dress professionally. Jessika won first place in the pageant and went on to the state competition. Her interest in fashion and hairstyles skyrocketed. Today, with teenage twins of her own, she still keeps up with the trends and lets me know when I fall too far behind the times.

Trends change, but in some areas of society, there are dress codes and expectations regarding how a person should dress. Depending on the occasion, if you don’t comply, you may be asked to leave.

If you attend the Oscars, wear a tuxedo or an evening gown. The superstars go out of their way to wear one-of-a-kind designer clothes to showcase their style, but they still adhere to the code.
If you visit the White House, you can dress more casually. Out of respect, they ask that attire be business professional and modest. No jeans or T-shirts are permitted. Dresses should reach past the knee. You won’t be kicked out if you don’t comply, but you will likely stand out.
If you have an appointment with the Pope, the tradition is to wear black suits and dresses. Clothing must be modest, with shoulders and midriff covered. Women should wear black lace. The only exception is for Catholic queens, who are allowed to wear white.

Jesus told a parable about a wedding feast hosted by a king. When he entered to see the guests, he noticed a man who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, “How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?” The man was speechless. The king ordered his attendants to tie him up and throw him out.

I’m not here to tell you what you should or shouldn’t wear. Jesus cares more about our hearts than our clothes. As followers of Jesus, we have a dress code. It’s actually a motivation and behavior code. There are attitudes and actions we need to take off, and there are attitudes and actions we need to put on.

Colossians 3:1-14

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now 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, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Set your mind on things above (verse 3). The original Greek word for “set” means “to think” or “exercise the mind.” Focus on, and exercise your mind regarding God’s kingdom. The cross of Jesus has two sides: Death and resurrection. Both of these aspects relate to the follower of Jesus. You have died to your old nature, which is linked to who you were in the past. You are alive in Christ and now connected to a resurrected life with Him.

Two types of life are described in the Bible: the soul life we inherited from Adam and the spirit life that comes from God. It’s the second kind that is described here. Your true life in Christ is eternal and secure, but it is also hidden. Think of a pearl in an oyster shell. You are concealed and enveloped in Christ.

When Jesus comes again, we will come with Him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature, your old self. “Put to death” means – turning it into a corpse, decomposing completely. Sin was and still is very much alive. We must be dedicated to putting sin down, and we have the power when we submit to the Holy Spirit.

In verse 5, Paul illustrates the old nature. He continues by stating that in Jesus, we are called to a higher standard. “You used to walk in these ways, but now rid yourselves of these…”

The old behaviors are inconsistent with your identity in Christ. Don’t settle for that old, inferior way of living. A new life in Jesus calls out to you. You are a butterfly; don’t crawl like a worm.

Then Paul goes on to say, “Clothe yourselves with…” (verse 12).

As followers of Jesus with a new life in Him, we strive to live as He did. Above all, God looks at our hearts, from which our behavior flows.

Keep in mind that the pagan religions of that time said little or nothing about personal morality. What a person believed had no direct relationship with how they behaved, and nobody would condemn them for their actions. God’s ways are different.

Christ is all and in all. The Holy Spirit dwells within every believer, regardless of any external factors. Discrimination and disrespect based on race, gender, religion, address, political affiliation, social status, or other factors have no place in the kingdom of God.

As followers of Jesus, we embrace our new identity in Christ and focus our thoughts on things above. Our way of life isn’t rooted in self-discipline, self-denial, or self-improvement; rather, it is a life led by the Holy Spirit, reflecting the reality of Christ within us. This is who we are now. We concentrate on the kingdom of God, allowing our actions to be directed by Christ’s authority. We stand firm in His victory and rely on Him through the trials and challenges of life.

There’s nothing in this world like following Jesus.

The last verse in the section says, “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Overall… pay attention… this is the most important thing. When you put on love, all will be well. Put on love. Wrap yourself in His love from head to toe. Knowing and putting on the love of God is the most crucial thing we can do.

Jesus said, “Love others as I have loved you.” By embracing love, we can share His love with others. We will actively engage in His mission.

Are you clinging to a part of your old self? Surrender it to Jesus. Out with the old; in with the new. Through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.