I bet you wear a uniform.  

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The word uniform comes from the word uniformis, uni meaning “one” and formis meaning “shape.”  When things are uniform, they have one shape.  When we wear a uniform, we look similar to others who wear the uniform.  We’re easy to identify because a uniform stands out in a crowd.  

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Some of you wear an actual uniform required by your employer – maybe you’re in the military, or you work for the government, or you’re a pilot, or a waiter or waitress, or you’re in medicine, or your job requires safety or extra tough clothing.  Maybe you don’t wear an actual uniform issued by your employer, but I bet you still have a persona, or identity, that reflects the activity you are engaged in.  I think that’s true if you’re a teacher, in business, a biker, a pastor, a mom, a dad, a hunter, and more.  And if you play any organized sports, you wear a uniform.  You can tell a lot about someone by the uniform they wear.  Your uniform reflects who you are, and more importantly, the team that you represent.  

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I’ve worn an Army uniform for many years now.  Each time I put it on, I am mindful of how to act, how to drive, how to walk, how to talk, and more.  I’m more disciplined when wearing a uniform; I stand up straighter, and I don’t get to talk on my phone, chew gum, or walk on the grass.  I am different when I wear a uniform. I’m not doing it for myself, but I represent something greater than myself when I’m in uniform, and I don’t want anyone to think less of the Army when they see me.

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Today’s verses challenge us to be different when we wear the uniform of a Christian, that is, when we are clothed with Christ.  We have been made new, we’ve put on a new uniform, and we’re challenged to live differently as a result.  

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Today is the only day that we’re in Colossians 3 for devos, so take advantage of it and look at the whole chapter, but especially the first 17 verses. They are full of things to do to show that we have taken off the old uniform and put on a new one.  

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So how does that look? First, we have to get rid of the old uniform, the old self. In Colossians 3:5, Paul writes that we’re to get rid of sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed (which he says is idolatry), and in verses 8 and 9 he says to get rid of anger, rage, malice, slander, dishonesty, and filthy language.  That’s the first step.  And we’ll never be done with getting rid of our sinful nature.  

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The second step, the step of putting on the new self, is no easier. Elsewhere, Paul writes that we should not conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2).  In today’s chapter, Paul reminds us that we are God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.  As a result, we should be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient, bearing with each other, and to be forgiving, loving, peaceful, thankful, teaching, admonishing, and grateful.  We should sing.  Whatever, we do, we should do it in the name of Jesus.  

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When we wear His uniform, we will better represent Him to the world.  

So how do you take off the uniform of the world, and put on the uniform of a Christian?  There are many practical ways, but here are 3 suggestions for today:

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1. Pray. In Colossians Chapter 4, Paul says to devote ourselves to prayer. Pray like David did in Psalm 51:10 – ask God to “create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”  

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2. Read, memorize, and meditate on the Bible.  I encourage you to read Colossians 3: 1-17, but here are 5 other passages to meditate on that talk about the transformation that comes from being aligned with Christ.  

1. Romans 12:2: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the    renewing of your mind." 

2. 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 

3. Isaiah 43:19: "For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you    not see it?" 

4. Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will         carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." 

5. Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ²fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith….”

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3. Choose one area to focus on today. When you do, the old uniform comes off easier.  So, when you focus on patience, anger will fall away.  When you focus on being generous, you’ll find that greed falls way.  

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Dear God, thank You for choosing me and for dearly loving me, despite all of my faults.  Transform me into who You want me to be. Help me to love You, to serve You, and to reflect You to the world.