A Change of Heart, and a Change of Clothes

By Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman

Every morning, we engage in a universal ritual. We stand before our closets, scan the hangers, and ask a simple question: "What should I wear?" It seems trivial, but the decision is significant. What we choose to wear is an expression of who we are, an impression we want to leave, and a preparation for the environment we are about to enter. We wouldn't wear a swimsuit to a funeral or a tuxedo to a construction site. We dress according to our identity and our purpose.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, suggests that this daily ritual should happen spiritually before it ever happens physically. In Colossians 3:12-17, he presents a divine wardrobe for the believer. He argues that we cannot simply throw on the tattered rags of our old nature—anger, malice, and selfishness—because they no longer fit who we are. instead, we must intentionally "put on" the character of Christ.

The Identity Behind the Outfit

Before Paul tells us what to wear, he tells us why we must wear it. The command to "put on" begins with the word "Therefore." This connects our behavior back to our identity. We are not dressing up to become someone new; we are dressing up because we have already been made new.

Paul defines our identity with three powerful terms: the elect of God, holy, and beloved. These aren't just nice adjectives; they are our spiritual DNA.

To be holy comes from the Greek word hagios. It means to be pure, clean, upright, and set apart. It doesn't mean we are perfect in our performance yet, but it means we have been set apart for God’s exclusive use. We are "clean" because of the blood of Christ and "devoted" to Him because of His sacrifice.

To be beloved comes from the Greek word agapeo, rooted in agape love. This describes a love filled with favor and goodwill. It means God doesn't just tolerate you; He pours out His favor upon you as a faithful follower. Because you are God's chosen, set-apart, and deeply loved child, you cannot walk out the door wearing the filth of the world. You must wear what matches your standing in the Father's house.

The 5-Piece Suit of Christ

So, what does the well-dressed believer wear? We are called to wear what Christ wore for us. The wardrobe consists of five essential garments that reflect the very character of Jesus.

First, we put on tender mercies. This is a heart of visceral compassion. It is the garment Jesus wore when He looked at the multitudes and didn't see a nuisance, but saw sheep without a shepherd. It is a refusal to be cold or indifferent to the suffering of others.

Over that, we layer kindness. This is the active expression of goodness and sweetness. It is the antidote to harshness. Just as God’s kindness led us to repentance, our kindness becomes the fabric that softness the hearts of those around us.

Next comes humility, or "humbleness of mind". This is not a garment of self-deprecation or low self-esteem. It is the clothing of proper perspective. It doesn't mean thinking less of yourself; it means thinking of yourself less. It is the mindset that values others above oneself, just as Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross for our sake.

We also wear meekness. Contrary to popular belief, meekness is not weakness; it is power under control. It is the sword that stays sheathed even when it could strike. We see this perfectly in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had the power to call down twelve legions of angels to destroy His captors, yet He chose to bridle His power and submit to the Father's will. That is the garment of meekness: strength that chooses gentleness.

Finally, we put on longsuffering. This describes a person with a "long fuse". It is the ability to patiently endure provoking people or circumstances without exploding. Just as God is longsuffering toward us—not willing that any should perish—we wear this garment to bear with the difficult people in our lives without retaliation.

The Accessories: Forbearance and Forgiveness

No outfit is complete without the proper handling of relationships. Paul instructs us to bear with one another. This means putting up with the quirks, idiosyncrasies, and failings of others. We all have odd ways that we expect others to tolerate, yet we often refuse to extend that same grace.

More challenging is the command to forgive one another. If you have a complaint against someone, the standard for releasing it is high: "Even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do". Forgiveness is often a hard garment to put on because it feels unfair. But when we look at the cross and realize how much Christ has forgiven us—a debt far greater than anyone owes us—we realize we have no right to withhold it.

To hold all these loose garments together, we must put on love (agape). Love is the "bond of perfection," the belt that ties the entire outfit together. Without love, patience becomes grit and kindness becomes manipulation. Love is the driving force behind every other virtue; it is the birthmark of the believer that proves we belong to God.

But how do we know if our outfit is right? We have an internal umpire: the peace of God. The Greek word for "rule" here means to act as a referee. In the chaos of life, the peace of God makes the calls. If you are anxious, angry, or unsettled, the umpire is blowing the whistle, signaling that you are likely wearing the wrong spiritual clothes. When we obey the will of God and wear His character, the umpire calls "safe," and peace rules in our hearts.

Burn the Hand-Me-Downs

A critical part of changing our clothes is getting rid of the old ones. We often try to excuse our bad behavior as "hand-me-downs" from our parents or our past. We say, "I have a bad temper because my father had one," or "I worry because my mother was a worrier."

But in Christ, hand-me-downs are not an excuse. The dominion of sin has been broken. We are called to clean out the closet and burn the old clothes. We don't donate them; we destroy them. We put off the anger, the malice, and the lying, and we refuse to wear them ever again. We are new creations, called to walk in the "garments of salvation" and the "robe of righteousness," decked out like a bride or bridegroom for the glory of God.

If you are ready to stop wearing the rags of the old life and start walking in the "garments of salvation," here is how to start:

1 The Morning Mirror Check: Before you get dressed physically tomorrow, take time to dress spiritually. Pray through the list in Colossians 3:12. Ask the Holy Spirit to specifically help you "put on" tender mercies and meekness before you face your family or your coworkers.

2 Burn the Hand-Me-Downs: Identify one sinful reaction you often excuse as "just my personality" or "how I was raised." Acknowledge that this is an old garment that no longer fits your identity as "God's elect." Confess it, and mentally "burn" it, refusing to use your past as an excuse for present sin.

3 Consult the Umpire: When you are in a conflict or making a decision, pause and check your heart. Is the peace of God ruling? If you feel turmoil rather than peace, stop. It is likely a sign that you are operating out of the flesh (anger, fear, control) rather than the Spirit.

4 The "In Jesus' Name" Test: Paul gives us an all-inclusive rule: "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus". Before you send that text, make that purchase, or say that comment, ask: "Can I sign Jesus' name to this?" If not, don't do it.

5 Sing with Grace: Use music as a tool for teaching and admonishing. When you are struggling to keep your mind set on things above, put on "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs." Let the theology of the lyrics dwell in you richly to realign your heart with God's truth.