“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

I received a call yesterday from an old friend from up north. Before I had time to think, I answered his question. He had asked “So how are you doing down there?” “COLD!” I responded. Immediately I knew I had made a mistake and knew what was coming. Tongue in cheek, he told me, “Yea, wind chill is -15 here today!” I didn’t have the heart to tell him that outside MY door… it was 50!

I spend a lot of time yesterday changing clothes. I remember living up north when I’d put my long johns underneath and that was what I wore all day. Here in Florida, I go from winter jacket, to sweatshirt, to short sleeves and back again all within an hour! I stood in the street and changed from short sleeves into a heavy riding jacket as I prepared to head home on my motorcycle. Put off – put on. It reminded me of what Paul had said in Ephesians… only on a more serious note!

Fooling people is not all that hard to do. Fooling yourself is a little tougher.. but possible. Fooling God? Impossible! Not even with the best planning! He KNOWS us INTIMATELY. And He has warned us that the dis-ease which we carry within us is TERMINAL! Our old flesh is not only going to die… WE are the ones who are supposed to help kill it off! Everything about out flesh… our heart and our deceitful desires, is to be put OFF! We are then called to PUT ON CHRIST with the NEW spiritual self.

I find that I spend WAY too much time changing clothes. But I can point to people who, it doesn’t even bother! But my tattle telling doesn’t impress God. He is dealing with ME and expects MY undivided attention. This is serious business, if I want life! And TRUE Life in Him does not look ANYTHING like DEAD life here on Earth. Living new and walking with Him WILL bring unfavorable attention from the rest of the world!

Living my teen years in the late 60’s and early 70’s was fun. I loved the clothes… HUGE bell bottoms, wide white belts, cool boots and shirts with puffy sleeves were just plain cool! But not anymore. I’ve found some similar clothing and worn it out in public… only to receive laughs and criticism. It is the same thing when I ‘put-on’ Jesus clothes. The world wants no part of it. But if I want God’s heart, I need to wear His outfit! REGARDLESS of the weather outside! It’s time for a change!