New clothes



When Paul arrived in Damascus, led there by his companions in his blindness, he must have been confused, frightened, tired and dusty. His host had a room prepared and a space to wash- but Paul could not see, and would have to rely on someone to help him take off his travelling clothes.

Maybe he was remembering this, when he writes to the Colossians. Remembering how in those dark and confusing days, he had to renounce all that had given his life meaning and significance, and learn a new way of living- and how the darkness he was experiencing physically was mirrored by the darkness within him.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life in now hidden with Christ in God.
...you have taken off your old self with its practices- and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
                                                                                    (Colossians 3: 2,3,9.10)

 Paul talks in this letter about the things we must take off- the anger, the addictions, the hurtful words and selfish actions. These are the dirty clothes left lying in a corner, and we can step into the new life God has for us.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another and forgive one another, if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
                                                                              (Colossians 3: 12-14)

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