New Garments

 

NEW GARMENTS

 Colossians 3:12-17

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Introduction:

A garment is any item of clothing or apparel worn on the human body. It is a dress designed to cover, protect or adorn the body. It is also an attire or clothing. Now, as we have physical garments so also we have spiritual garments which are not visible for people to see.

 

A new garment represents a profound spiritual shift, symbolizing a change in status, identity, and authority from filthy or worn-out conditions to righteousness, glory and divine favour. It signifies a transformation into a new life or season, often linked to putting or receiving the garment of praise. A shift from bondage to victory.

 

A New Garment:

This New Garment represents the new-grace-based life in Christ which cannot be mixed with the old legalistic or natural life.

 

Biblical Reference:

The Prodigal Son – Lk 15:11-24

Your garment sometimes is also a mean of identification – Deliverance of God from sin and from the powers of darkness

-         One identity before leaving home.

-         Another in a foreign land.

-         Another when he come back – Now a New Garment – New values, - New beliefs, - New goals, - New sense of purpose, New glory.

 

Benefits:

-         Renewed motivation

-         Clearer direction

-         Growth by shedding old limitation.

-         Building new habits.

 

Benefits of New Garment:

1)    Freedom from the past sins.

2)    Receiving the Holy Spirit.

3)    Peace with God/Forgiveness.

4)    Eternal life

5)    Gaining spiritual understanding.

6)    Empowerment.

7)    Becoming a member of the Family God.

 

The Prodigal Son, up until now was wearing the garment of slave, shame – the old garment. The High Priest, Joshua (think of it) a high priest, wearing filthy garments – garments of sin which are replaced with a New Garment – removal of iniquity and bestowal of righteousness. ‘’See I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes” Zech 3:2-5,15. Jacob gave Joseph a robe of many colours – Gen 37:3. Jabesh – Garment of Sorrow, pain 1 Chro 4:10. The Israelites – Garment of Reproach – Jos 5:9-10.

Key Aspects of Colossians 3:12-17

• The New Wardrobe (v. 12-14): Believers are told to put on virtues that reflect their new life in Christ: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, with love as the primary, uniting virtue.
• Forgiveness and Unity (v. 13-14):
   The passage calls for bearing with one another and forgiving grievances, modeled directly on the forgiveness received from Christ
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The Rule of Peace (v. 15): Christians are encouraged to let the peace of Christ act as an umpire in their hearts, fostering unity within the "one body".
Gratitude and Worship (v. 16-17): The message of Christ should dwell richly within, leading to teaching, admonishing, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude.
Christ-Centered Living (v. 17): A central imperative to do "everything" in word or deed in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father.