Love to hear from and know who is listening
When I was in high school one of my favorite songs was “Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZ Top. The first verse of the song went like this; Clean shirt, new shoes, And I don't know where I am going to, - Silk suit, black tie, and I don't need a reason why, - They come running' just as fast as they can - Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man! I am sure we have all heard the statement, “Clothes make the man!” Ever wonder where this statement originated? It sounds like some marketing pitch made by an upscale clothing manufacture. However this proverb, which means that people will judge you by the clothes you wear, has been around for a long time. Some people mistakenly attribute the source of the proverb to Mark Twain, because he made quite a fashion statement when be began wearing white suits late in his career. The founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Colonel Sanders, also made quite the fashion statement with his white suit and black bow tie. The proverb actually originated during the middle ages. The earliest notable use of the is found in the writings of Erasmus, a Catholic priest.
When I was a young man my parents always dressed me and my siblings in our Sunday best when we went to church, especially on Easter Sunday. Even though we were not wealthy by any means, it was not uncommon for us to get a new outfit to wear to church on Easter Sunday. I will be the first to tell you that I no longer put on the suit and tie to attend church. My best blue jeans, comfortable athletic shoes and nice dress shirt is my attire for Sunday morning service and I have even been known to where jean shorts and a clean t-shirt to Wednesday night bible study. So how should we dress to attend Church? I am here to tell you that our Heavenly Father has a strict dress code, but it may not be what you think!
Colossians 3: 12-14 NIV Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
God loves you! He chosen you to be one of His holy children, so you must clothe yourself in His love and principles. So let's take a closer look at the heavenly dress code. First put on compassion. The meaning of compassion is to recognize the suffering of others and then take action to help. That means I need to reach out to those in need and not turn a blind eye or think they are not my family. Put legs on your faith and be compassionate enough to do something. Next put on humility. Be humble and not so high and mighty. Think of others needs before your own. Next put on gentleness and patience. I don't struggle to much with the gentleness attribute, but wow do I have problem with being patient. Patience is not my strong suit. Next put on forgiveness. Realize that everyone has faults including yourself and be ready to forgive as Jesus Christ has forgiven you!!! The final piece of our heavenly dress code is LOVE. When I was a child my mother used to hand sew a lot of clothing for me out of that indestructible material, polyester. I didn't care much for them, sorry mom, but they were sew together with love. Love is the thread that holds together our Sunday best clothes. Without love how can your be compassionate, humble, gentle, patient or forgiving?
Take off all your old clothing, hate, selfishness, short tempers and put on your new outfit! Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Remember every piece of your Christian attire is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. Designer clothing, designed
