Putting On
READ
Imagine opening your closet tomorrow morning and finding two sets of clothes hanging there. One set is worn, stained, and smells like yesterday's stress, yesterday's insecurity, yesterday's anger. The other set is fresh, clean, radiating with qualities you long to embody—compassion that notices others, kindness that acts, humility that listens, gentleness that doesn't force, patience that doesn't rush.
Paul tells us we have a choice every single day.
Let’s take a moment to read Colossians 3:1-17:
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
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.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
REFLECT
The Christian life isn't about achieving moral perfection through sheer willpower. It's about learning to dress yourself differently. You've already been given a new identity in Christ—you are forgiven, loved, chosen, made new. But transformation is the lifelong practice of actually living like it's true.
Here's what makes this both challenging and hopeful: the "old garments" don't disappear immediately. You'll still find yourself reaching for anger when someone cuts you off in traffic. You'll still feel the familiar fabric of anxiety when uncertainty hits. You'll still be tempted to wrap yourself in the comfortable outfit of self-protection when vulnerability feels too risky.
But the Spirit is patient with you, inviting you each morning: "Today, let's try on compassion. Today, let's practice patience. Today, let's see what gentleness feels like." This is sanctification—the slow, grace-filled process of becoming on the outside who you already are on the inside.
What's beautiful about Paul's imagery is that it's both passive and active. God clothes you in Christ's righteousness—that's done, complete, finished. But you also participate by choosing what you wear each day. You take off the old. You put on the new. You cooperate with what the Spirit is already doing in you.
The distinct life isn't about perfection; it's about direction. It's not about never failing; it's about consistently returning to the closet, looking at what Jesus offers, and saying, "Yes, I want to wear that today."
And here's the miracle: the more you practice wearing these new clothes, the more natural they begin to feel. Compassion becomes your default. Kindness flows more easily. Patience doesn't require as much effort. You're being transformed, one choice at a time, into the person you were always meant to be.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
What "old garments" (patterns, reactions, habits) do you find yourself reaching for most often, and what triggers cause you to put them on?
Looking at the qualities listed in Colossians 3:12-17, which one feels most foreign to you right now, and which one is the Spirit already cultivating in your life?
How might your life look different six months from now if you intentionally practiced "putting on" one of these Kingdom qualities each day?
REST
Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
Gracious God, thank You for clothing me in Christ, for making me new even when I don't feel new. Help me recognize the old patterns I keep reaching for out of habit and fear. Give me the courage to take them off and the faith to put on the character of Jesus. Spirit, dress me today in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience—and help me wear these qualities in a way that points others to You. Amen.