The Weekly Word: Dress on the Inside

By Rev. Daniel Larson, Pastor, Cross Lutheran Church, Charles City

Some of the most well-respected people in our society are those who wear uniforms: members of the military, police, ballplayers, and even the clergy. However, we also hear stories about how these same people bring disgrace to the uniforms they wear: criminal charges, corruption, and sexual abuse.

This should indicate to us that just putting on a uniform on the outside does not make a person better on the inside.

The apostle Paul described a different kind of clothing:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

—Colossians 3:12.

Notice that Paul doesn’t describe a change in our outward dress or appearance, nor does he suggest that we can somehow will ourselves into behaving better on the outside. No, Paul is describing being dressed on the inside.

And this sort of “dress” or “clothing” comes from God’s love, grace, and compassion to us in the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus displayed perfect love, grace, and compassion on the crowds coming toward Him: “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14).

This was the same compassion that moved Him to die on the cross in our place for our sins. By faith in His redemptive work on the cross, we have become His people.

This is what brings about a change in our attitude and inner-being, and which will be expressed more and more in our words and actions.

But this all begins by dressing ourselves on the inside where it truly counts.

These real and important changes in our lives won’t happen just because we might put on a well-respected uniform. Clothing only changes us on the outside.

Instead, real change begins when we are clothed with the grace of God in Christ Jesus our Lord – being dressed on the inside.

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You are invited to worship with us at Cross Lutheran Church every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. We also have an adult Bible Class each Sunday at 8:45 a.m. Come and see what God’s love can do for you on the inside!