"Put It On"

They’re gonna always size you up,

Know what they’re lookin’ for,

Might be the way you wear your hat,

Will open up the door.

Or maybe that old pearl snap shirt,

Buttoned at the collar,

Or your jeans turned up a cuff,

Can’t be sure they’ll foller.

The belt and boots you’re wearin,’

And the buckle large or small,

The knife’s that’s in your pocket,

They’re gonna make their call.

If your punchy is pathetic,

Something is way wrong,

Don’t hold onto that old posing,

Get that old stuff gone.

So what to do about it,

If you want to relate,

In Jesus’ name your impact,

It matters, so don’t wait,

‘Bout being who you really are,

Go on and let it show,

Don’t pretend or fake it,

‘Cause cowboys always know.

Just put off that old selfish you,

The Lord renew your mind,

Then put on the righteous self,

And leave all else behind.

Let the Holy Spirit,

Equip you to be real,

Be flexible and willing,

So they can His grace feel.

“…put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness…” (Ephesians 4:24, NIV)

So what you wear matters, but not merely in terms of clothing. Paul counsels to put off the old self and put on the new. He’s talking about making a righteous choice concerning our old selfish, egotistical nature. It’s all about dying to our egotism with a daily choice. It’s also about intentionally choosing to be clothed in our new “selves” which are controlled by the power and person of the Holy Spirit. This is the authentic self, created and called to express the nature of Jesus. No matter what else we might wear, nothing beats wearing the right spiritual identity. And the odds are stacked that we will be most effective in impacting others for Jesus’ sake. Dress for spiritual success.

Lord, help us to put off our old selves and put on the new, in Jesus’. name.

Art by Herman Walker, hermanwalker.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Herman, and God bless you.