I once had a habit of wearing ripped jeans as a teenager. One day my Daddy called me to the side and expressed his displeasure in this. He said, “Boy, people will think we’re poor.” It grieved my Daddy because I was representing my family whether I knew it or not. In fact, being a junior, I literally carried my Daddy’s name.
We read in Ephesians 4:29-32 NET 29 You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 You must put away every kind of bitterness, anger, wrath, quarreling, and evil, slanderous talk. 32 Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
Just as the way I dressed grieved my Daddy because I bore his name, the way I live can grieve the Holy Ghost because I bear my heavenly Father’s name.
In Luke 24:49 Jesus told His disciples that they would be endued with power from on high. This was in reference to the Holy Ghost. The interesting thing is that the original Greek word translated endued means “to clothe” or “to dress.” We must be completely enveloped and clothed with the Holy Ghost.
But if we have holes in our “clothing,” if we are not kind, compassionate, and forgiving, or if we let unwholesome language come out of our mouths, then something is wrong with the way we are representing the One who clothed us.
We represent our Father and the family of God. People form opinions about our Father by watching those who bear His name. They hear how we talk, see how we treat people, and watch how we respond when we are angry, offended, or mistreated. Just as my Daddy was concerned that my ripped jeans might give people the wrong impression about our family, we should be concerned that holes in our spiritual clothing might give people the wrong impression about our heavenly Father.
If we have been clothed with power from on high, let’s make sure bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, or unwholesome words haven’t left holes in what we are wearing. Let’s live in a way that represents our Father well.
Philippians 1:27 (NIV)
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
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