March - 5
TRAVEL ATTIRE
Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus . . . and do not think about how to gratify the . . . sinful nature. Romans 13:14
Self-help books are well known for this bit of advice: Dress for success. Do you want to have a dream career? Are you longing for fulfilling relationships? Well, experts say that one thing you can do is dress for success!
I knew of a college graduate who had several job interviews lined up. He would dry-clean his whole business suit before every interview. He wanted to look perfect in order to land his dream job. I don’t know if the dry cleaning helped, but he got the job offer.
In today’s Bible passage the apostle Paul tells us to clothe ourselves with Christ. Is this something as superficial as a “dress for success” mantra? Of course not! Paul is talking here about having Jesus work in our lives. With the help of the Holy Spirit we need to put aside our sinful actions and behave decently in every area of life. That means no drunkenness, no sexual immorality, no constant fighting with others, no jealousy.
Paul tells us to wrap ourselves with Christ’s goodness. We need to show outwardly what has taken place inwardly. Christ’s grace is compared to the versatile Middle Eastern robe that keeps you cool in the hot sun and warm during cold desert nights. That’s what we need in our journey of faith. Christ is our best “attire” to protect us from temptations and to help us witness to others about God’s love.
PRAYER
Our Father, cleanse our hearts from sin so that we may clothe ourselves with Christ’s grace, love, and goodness. Help us to be your faithful followers and witnesses! Amen.
自助书籍中有一项众所周知的忠告：成功靠衣着。你希望有理想的事业吗？你是否渴望有满意的人际关系？专家认为，你不妨试试成功靠衣着这个策略！
我认识一位大学毕业生，有数份工作等着他去面试，在每次面试之前，他必把整套西装拿去干洗，他希望看起来体面无瑕，以期得到理想的工作。我不知道干洗是否有帮助，但他得到聘用却是事实。
在今天的经文中，使徒保罗告诉我们，要披戴基督。这样做和「成功靠衣着」的真言是否同等虚有其表？当然不是！保罗在这里的意思，是让耶稣在我们生命中作工。借着圣灵的帮助，我们需要放下邪恶的行为，在生活每一方面都循规蹈矩，意思是不醉酒、不好色邪荡、不与人争竞、不嫉妒。
保罗告诉我们，要以基督的良善包裹着自己，我们应以外在的言行来彰显内心的改变。基督的恩典好比中东人穿的袍子，它有多种用途，在烈日下既能保持身体清凉，在沙漠寒冷的晚上亦能保暖，对我走信心之路，最适合不过。基督是我们最合适的「衣着」，祂能保护我们不受试探，又帮助我们向别人见证神的爱。
祷告
我们的父，求祢洗净我们内心的罪污，好叫我们能披戴基督的恩典、慈爱、和良善，又帮助我们忠心跟从祢和为祢作见证！阿们。