We have all at one point, or another uttered the statement, “I have nothing to wear.” We open the closet door and stand there trying to decide what put on and nothing we have appealed to us. On special occasions, we may get a little stressed out if we think that we don’t have anything appropriate for the event. Isn’t it great to know that we don’t have to worry about our spiritual wardrobe?

God has laid our clothes out for us in his word. Colossians 3:12-14 says, “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.” The first part of this verse tells us the three reasons God has laid out our wardrobe for us. The first reason is we are his chosen people. If he has chosen us, then he is going to give us the uniform for the job. The second reason is that we are holy. Remember that holy means that we are set apart. Many times you can tell where a person belongs by the clothing they wear. God wants us to be easily identified as his. God is holy, and we are to be and look like him. Finally, this verse says that we are dearly loved. God is our loving parent, and he is taking care of us just as we do for our children.

Now let’s look at what He has laid out for us to wear. Compassion is a caring for others and being willing to meet a need if possible. Being kind is defined as a good or benevolent nature or disposition. Sometimes our outward actions may appear kind, but we don’t always have a kind disposition. The next item of clothing laid out for us is humility. We don’t clothe ourselves to show that we are better than others but that we are ready to serve. Gentleness connotes a sense of being refined or well bred. When we are dressed in gentleness, we won’t come across as harsh or severe. Patience is an item of endurance. It allows us to withstand the irritations that come at us.

The next thing this verse tells us to be forgiving. It doesn’t list forgiveness as a piece of clothing. Why? I believe that it is because only when we put on these other items can we be forgiving. It is an outward sign that we are spiritually clothed. If we are dressed in the clothes laid out for us by our father, we will be modest, and nothing ugly or unsightly will be showing.

There is one final piece of clothing that we are to put on and its love. Colossians tells us why this is the last thing we should put on. It says love binds our outfit together in perfect unity. Love holds us together and makes us complete. Don’t forget, if love is our outward cloak it will be the first thing others see when they see us.