Wardrobe Change (sermon Blog)
What does following Jesus actually look like in everyday life?
In the first two chapters of Colossians, Paul lays a foundation of what Christians believe and why. Then, in Colossians 3, he shifts the focus: Now that we know what we believe, how do we live it out?
Paul uses the picture of changing clothes. The old life comes off, and the new life goes on. Following Christ isn't simply about managing our old habits a little better—it's about living from a completely new identity.
1. Set Your Whole Life on the Risen Christ
Paul begins Colossians 3 with an important reminder: we have been raised to new life with Christ.
Everything in Christianity hinges on the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised, our identity has changed too. We don't have to see ourselves as the same person with the same habits, failures, and old way of living.
We are becoming the new us.
Paul tells us to “set your sights on the realities of heaven” and think about the things of heaven rather than simply the things of earth.
That doesn't mean Christians withdraw from the world. Instead:
We begin seeing people differently.
We allow God's truth to shape our thinking.
We find our identity in Christ rather than success, image, career, or productivity.
We bring the values of God's Kingdom into our everyday lives.
As Pastor Steve put it:
“A life aimed at Christ above does not withdraw from the earth; it brings the rule of heaven into our everyday lives.”
Where we focus our minds matters. If we want our lives to become more like Jesus, we need to intentionally fill our minds with what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise.
2. Put the Old Life to Death—Not Merely Under New Management
Next, Paul gets very practical.
He doesn't tell us to improve the old life. He tells us to put it to death.
That includes things like:
Sexual immorality and impurity
Lust and evil desires
Greed and idolatry
Anger and rage
Malicious behavior
Slander and dirty language
Lying
Paul isn't suggesting that we simply make these things less visible or learn to keep them under control. We don't negotiate with the old life. We take it off.
Some of these sins deal with our desires, while others directly damage our relationships. Either way, they belong to the old wardrobe—not the new identity we've been given in Christ.
This is where the wardrobe metaphor becomes so powerful.
Every day we take off yesterday's clothes and put on something fresh. Spiritually, we need to approach each day in much the same way.
Yesterday is gone. Today, we choose again to leave behind the old life and live as the person Christ is making us to be.
3. Put on Your New Wardrobe Daily
Taking something off is only half of a wardrobe change. Paul tells us what we're supposed to put on in its place:
Tenderhearted mercy — showing genuine compassion to others.
Kindness — treating people with the same kindness God has shown us.
Humility — remembering that we aren't better than anyone else.
Gentleness — strength under control, modeled perfectly by Jesus.
Patience — extending grace to imperfect and sometimes difficult people.
Forgiveness — forgiving others because the Lord has forgiven us.
Love — the garment that binds everything together in harmony.
These aren't simply qualities to admire. They're things we're called to intentionally put on every day.
So ask yourself:
Who needs my compassion right now?
Who could use some kindness from me?
Where do I need to practice humility?
Where do I need greater self-control and gentleness?
Who requires a little more patience—or forgiveness—from me?
Life in community gives us plenty of opportunities to practice these things. Relationships aren't always easy, but God often uses other people to shape us, smooth our rough edges, and teach us how to love.
And above everything else, Paul says, put on love.
You Are Not the Old You
Sometimes we say or do something and immediately think, I can't believe I did that. That's not who I am.
That's actually an important reminder.
Our failures don't have to define our identity.
The Christian life isn't about waking up every morning and telling ourselves, “Try harder.”
It begins somewhere completely different:
“You have been raised with Christ.”
We live differently because Christ has already made us new. And as we allow His Word to fill our lives and His Spirit to work within us, that new identity increasingly becomes visible in the way we speak, think, forgive, love, and treat others.
So here's the challenge for this week:
What do you need to take off?
Maybe it's anger, lust, destructive language, gossip, an addiction, or another old habit you've allowed to remain.
And then ask:
What do you need to put on?
Maybe it's compassion. Kindness. Humility. Gentleness. Patience. Forgiveness. Love.
Every morning is another opportunity for a wardrobe change.
Take off the old. Put on the new. And live like the person Christ has made you to be.