Chico Alliance Church
“More Kingdom Clothes”
Review
On the basis a restored relationship with Christ, Paul calls for us to put away the habits and drives associated with the Old Kingdom and demonstrate attitudes and behavior that identifies us as citizens of the New Kingdom. We will be labeled children of God or children of the world by our attitudes and actions.
Paul continually motivates new behavior based on a new core and new resources in Christ.
From here on through most of the rest of his letter, Paul describes New Kingdom life. What Jesus did, flowed out of who He was! The Father affirmed His deep pleasure in Jesus even before He launched into three years of marvelous ministry. We tend to center our thoughts on the wonderful works of healing, giving, feeding, and teaching. The Father emphatically declared, “This is my dearly loved Son in whom I am well pleased. This declaration too place even before one leper was cleansed or a single drop of water was turned to wine or one demon was sent to the waterless places. The external actions of Jesus flowed from the internal character of Jesus. What we do, must be an overflow of who we are. Being always must precede doing. It is this same well-pleasing Christ who lives in us and whose clothes we are privileged to wear.
Brief Grammar lesson
Verbs are action words.They describe action done by us, for us, to us, or through us.
An action done by me or someone else is “active”
An action done to me is “passive”
An action done on my behalf or to myself is “middle”
An action commanded “imperative”
The action or commanded action also has a time element called tense.
Point in time – describes an action that happened at some point in time.
Perfect describes an action done at a point in time but whose effect continues on.
An echo or footprints or ripples in the water.
Present tense describes a continuous action or panorama.
Imperfect tense describes a repeated action.
Sling off the old. Sink into the new. This is a wardrobe provided by reason of “employment” or citizenship in the New Kingdom. Look again at Paul’s continual motivation for living according
Wear God’s clothes because you have God’s heart.
NOTE
Sometimes we get the impression from passages such as these that we must somehow come up with the special fabric, learn to sew, come up with the design, tailor the clothes to us and make the clothes. Paul calls us to put on the clothes of God. Clothe yourself in me. Put on Christ.
Sink into deep feelings of compassion
The word used here refers to inward parts, bowels, or loins. The reference is to inward deep feelings and affection. We see this deep inward stirring in Jesus himself. This sweater looks great; put it on! These clothes are tailor made. These clothes are free. These clothes are continually available. These clothes are provided for EVERY Christian.
Many saints have been seen in this fashionable Jesus “coat” of compassion. Because the love of God resides at the core of all kingdom kids, we do not have to make this coat but we must not restrain it or cover it up with a dirty windbreaker. We must be careful not to thwart its manifestation.
But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 1 John 3:17
The word for “close” here has to do with closing off or blocking.
• Used for a closed door or gate.
• Used to describe the heavens shut so that it would not rain.
• Used for the Pharisees shutting people out of the kingdom.
John continues his admonition regarding a person who closes off their feelings for others.
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We shall know by this that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart before Him, in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:18-22
God allows these deep feelings to spur us to respond to the needs of others as He responds to ours. We must not be afraid to feel for others. We are God’s instruments of love and action in this fallen world. Those with the specific gift of mercy will experience greater sensitivity to the hurts of others but here, EVERY specially chosen child of God possesses the capacity and responsibility to feel deeply for people made in the image of our common Creator. To not be moved when faced with the deep needs of people ought to cause us to honestly look at whether God’s love resides at the core or at least look for possible blockage.
Obvious we cannot meet everyone’s need just as Jesus did not minister to everyone in need. We can be sensitive to God’s leading as He offers opportunity to express His love to others. As we wear His clothes we begin to experience His fullness. You might have closed your heart because you are afraid of the hurt that comes with feeling. Let God deal with that. We miss the full potential of the kingdom experience by failing to allow our hearts to feel for others.
“compassion”
To sympathize with the plight of another, to take pity, feel for.
Paul encourages us to sink into Christ’s “feelings of compassion or sympathy.” The capacity is there, wear it.
“kindness”
In relation to God this word describes something that goes beyond internal feelings but actions that touch the life of others. It is the opposite of “hurtful actions” or “hurtful speech” It is something freely exercised on our behalf by God. God wants us to demonstrate His perfect love to those in our sphere of influence.
That is impossible! Yes, on our own, but Jesus called us to be yoked with Him in the task.
“Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden. Take my yoke upon you for my yoke is “kind” and my burden is light.”
You are not asked to give away what you do not have. You are not being asked to do what you are incapable of doing. God simply asks that we sink down into all that we are in Christ, to be yoked with Him and thus bear fruit in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God by the power of his indwelling Spirit. Not only does such kindness and attitude of personal sacrifice for the sake of others build up the body, but it attracts people to the Christ in us and manifesting through us.
“Humility”
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy (kind), and My load is light." Matthew 11:28-30 . Ephes. 4:1-3
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philip. 2:3-4.
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-7
Paul calls the church to clothe itself with the character of Christ who declared Himself to be humble of heart. Humility is an internal attitude that views others and their needs as more important than ourselves. Humility is the opposite of self-centeredness. Humility is an others-centered focus.
What a contrast to what we see in the world today.
The Bible recommends this essential hat of humility in all relationships.
• It is essential in our relationship with God.
• It is essential in our relationship with each other.
• It is essential in terms of our response to leadership.
• It is essential in spiritual warfare.
It is a way of thinking that grasps the reality of who we were and who we are only by the grace and kindness of the king. It is a way of thinking that views others as recipients of that same love and therefore are not better or worse that we are. It is a way of thinking that is willing to lay aside one’s personal agenda to minister to the needs of others.
Spouse, children, family, church, friends, and strangers.
As we wear this “hat” God pours out his unimaginable grace to provide the necessary resources to live in humility. Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus. He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped but humbled and emptied Himself in order to minister to us.
Gentleness
From a heart of humility comes a manner of dealing with people that communicates deep love and care that encourages response rather than resistance. It is used for the taming of animals. It is the disposition to approach others with calmness and disarming softness even though you might have the power or position to annihilate them.
Jesus said “learn gentleness from me”
It is held up as a valued treasure in a woman.
“Let your adornment be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quite spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:4
It is a manifestation of the filling of the Spirit.
It is a key to effective correction.
with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 2 Tim. 2:25
It is the fruit of wisdom.
Who is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. James 3:13
It is the key to effective evangelism
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15
This gentleness draws others to listen and seek help. The “meek” or gentle will inherit the earth not the brash and macho. We think it is admirable to flex muscles or intellectual acuity and cut the person to shreds. It is the character of God not to deal with us or our sin as it truly deserves.
We are to approach people with disarming gentleness.
Malign no one, be uncontentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. Titus 3:2
Conclusion
These New Kingdom clothes that come with New Kingdom citizenship have to do with internal attitudes toward people as well as external actions. God calls us to love him deeply and in turn reflect His love to others.
• Jesus is stirred to respond to people with deep feelings and compassion out of the very core of his being.
• Jesus demonstrated kindness to people even who fail to respond to Him.
• Jesus modeled both humility and gentleness.
A life characterized by these things and the others mentioned in the Bible is a glorious life.
It is a life that shines and is at peace.
• That same Jesus dwells in us. Christ in you the hope of glory.
• We were chosen to be presented before God holy and blameless in vital relationship.
• We were chosen to bear fruit before all men as a demonstration of a changed heart.
That renewed heart was designed after the God who created it. It is a heart designed to respond to people just as God responds.
Admit any deficiency.
Pray for God to reveal what is blocking.
Ask God flood your soul.
Slip into His character.
