The Wardrobe of the Spirit

A Christian is not a remodeled sinner. The church is not comprised of refurbished souls. In Christ, we have been created anew! We are His workmanship.

In Christ, there is reconciliation > restoration to divine favor by bringing about a change in man; This change is the result of conversion.

Salvation in Christ goes beyond forgiveness, which, before Christ, was granted through the law – specifically relating to the Day of Atonement.

Jesus saves us (according to the authorized translation) to the uttermost!

When it comes to being set free from sin and its effects on your life, you must change the heart and transform the will. The law failed to do either. Its weakness was its dependence upon the flesh.

The Law of the Spirit of Life

Romans 8:2–4 (NLT) — 2 And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So, God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

Our achievement of righteousness and victory over sin does not lie in our strength or power of discipline in this flesh. We who began in the Spirit must continue in the Spirit.

Galatians 3:1–3 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Read: Colossians 3:1–11

· Keep seeking the things above & Set your mind on the things above

· Put aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth and do not lie to one another.

· You have laid aside the old self and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created you.

Resources from Above: The Spirit; The Word; and The Church

The Wardrobe of the Spirit

The Spirit of God and the Word of God

Colossians 3:12–16

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved,

Put on (clothe yourselves) with a heart of compassion–

Compassion involves mercy even when it’s not deserved. Compassion shows pity and tenderness toward the suffering and miserable.

· Matthew 5:46 “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”

Put on (clothe yourselves) with kindness – Kindness is an action that comes from a gentle disposition. Kindness does not show itself with severity or harshness. Kindness considers the feelings and needs for others. Kindness offers friendship to the friendless or the unfriendly.

Put on (clothe yourselves) with humility – (A humble disposition, a lowliness of mind). Humility holds a right assessment of self. Humility is controlled by a strong character.

· Romans 12:3 …I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Put on (clothe yourselves) with gentleness – (or meekness) a. This pertains to the attitude of our spirit, not only toward others, but especially toward God; To not resist or be stiff-necked. b. to be measured in temperament - a balance born in strength of character / strong but gentle

· Matthew 10:16 (NLT) — 16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.

Put on (clothe yourselves) patience - (or longsuffering) Forbearance, long–suffering, self–restraint before proceeding to action. The quality of a person who is able to avenge himself yet refrains from doing so; to “Put up with” for a long time.

“bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”

Beyond all these things Put on, (clothe yourselves) with love. which is the perfect bond of unity. This is God’s love; an “in-spite-of” love. Man’s love is a “because-of” love. God’s love is not based upon an action of a man.

1 Peter 4:8 (NLT) — 8 continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Love is the perfect bond of unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.