A new set of clothing

In the continuing journey through the book of Colossians, the Very Rev Dr Martin Fair urges readers to wear the qualities of Christ.

THE New Testament epistles are marked by the frequent occurrence of lists. Examples include:

• Ephesians 4:11-12 in which we find a list of Christ-given ministries, intended for the building up of the Church: ‘So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…’ As an aside, we might wonder where today are our apostles, prophets and evangelists? In short supply, sadly.

• Romans 12:6-8 in which we have a list of spiritual gifts: ‘We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.’

• Galatians 5:22-23 offers us perhaps the best-known list - the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’: ‘The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.’

It’s important to note that the gifts referred to in these and other lists cannot be bought or bargained for. Neither, simply by trying harder, can we make ourselves more loving, more joyful, more gentle and so on. Spiritualised new year resolutions won’t do! Only a submission to the work of the Spirit in our lives will prove to be transformative.

And here in Colossians, in 3:12-17, we have a wonderful list that covers much of what we’re called to in terms of living the Christian life. And, happily, the instructions are entirely down to earth!

I must admit to not being very imaginative with what I wear. I’ve got loads of t-shirts for example but I tend to wear the one or two that are at the top of the pile! What’s your wardrobe like? How well stocked is your chest of drawers?

Our writer invites us to be selective in what we wear - to dispose of some of those old, worn-out items and to put on a new set of clothing, apparel befitting of the follower of Jesus, 3:12. The list begins with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Notice immediately the obvious similarity with what Paul lists in the Galatians passage. These are not random qualities, therefore - four of five picked from a list of hundreds. Rather they should be seen as central to Christian living.

Imagine someone was given the task of describing you. They might say that you were of medium build and that you had blonde hair and blue eyes. But what if you asked that person to go further and to describe you in terms of your qualities and characteristics? Would they say of you that you were kind and compassionate? Would they say of you that you were humble, gentle and patient?

Of course we’re all different and yet there should be some qualities that are common to all of us and these qualities should, we would expect, become all the more evident as we grow closer to Christ.

A closing thought. If you are in despair, thinking that there’s not much of that in your life… be encouraged. The first sign that the Holy Spirit is moving within you is a sense of your own inadequacy. The next is that you want to be more Christ-like.