“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12, NIV)
Do you remember when it was the tradition to buy new clothes for Easter? As a kid, your parents might have dressed you up in bright spring colors. Your mom may have even purchased a new hat. On Easter morning, folks would parade into church wearing their finest. Perhaps afterward, you’d go to a family dinner—still wearing your finest—nervous that you might drop ham and mashed potatoes on your new clothes. It was a nice tradition, an outward symbol of Easter's renewal and celebration—a mirror to the inward transformation we experience through God’s love.
But Easter’s message invites us to think beyond outward appearances. As we celebrate new beginnings, we are reminded of the inner transformation God calls us to embrace—a spiritual wardrobe that reflects His love and grace. Eugene Peterson’s The Message says it beautifully: “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” (Colossians 3:12-14, MSG)
While there’s nothing wrong with dressing up for Easter or embracing outward appearances, those outward signs find their true value when they flow from the inward renewal God is working within us. This harmony between the outward and the inward is key because a disconnect is noticeable—not just by others but also within ourselves.
And love, that all-purpose garment mentioned in The Message, is no different. Think of it as your favorite pair of blue jeans. Comfortable, durable, and effortlessly versatile, it’s what you reach for again and again because it feels right. Like jeans that stretch to fit your needs, love adapts to life’s challenges—extending forgiveness, offering patience, and embracing humility when it’s most needed. Just like jeans can adapt to any occasion, love is the one essential piece we should never be without. It wraps us in kindness, patience, and humility, making us not just clothed but fully alive in God’s spirit.
When we love God and others as we have been loved, when we embrace transformation and learn to live in the clothes God has picked out for us, we find a life stitched together with purpose, grace, and renewal. Love becomes not just something we wear but who we are—woven into every interaction, every decision, and every moment. Like that favorite pair of jeans, this love fits perfectly, adapts effortlessly, and stands the test of time.
As we step out into the world, may we remember the transformative power of wearing love. It affects not just how we see ourselves but also how we interact with others—family, friends, and even strangers. This love is a reflection of Christ within us, an invitation for others to see His grace and truth through our actions. Let us live as renewed people who share that all-purpose garment of love with a world in need of hope and light.
Gracious God, thank You for choosing us, loving us, and clothing us with Your grace. Teach us to wear the garments You’ve picked out for us—compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and above all, love. Help us to embody these virtues in every part of our lives so that we might reflect Your glory and touch others with Your light. May we live as renewed people, fully transformed by Your Spirit, and may our actions always align with the love You have so freely given us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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