Dress for Success

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV

In 1975, the best-selling book Dress for Success by John T. Molloy hit the stands. Two years later, it was followed by The Women's Dress for Success. If you graduated in the late 70s or 80s, you may have received a copy of this book as a present. In Molloy's research, he showed images of people dressed in different ways to others and recorded their responses. What he discovered was that people who dressed professionally were perceived more favorably. He concluded that to project the image of success, you must dress the part.

As God's chosen, we didn't need to come dressed in any particular way. No job interview was required; we didn't need to look any specific way because he had claimed us. He looked beyond whatever external image we projected to the world, into the internal messiness of our hearts and loved us as we were.

Once we accept him into our lives, perhaps, okay likely, still carrying some of that messiness (it takes time), he desires us to change our internal spiritual clothing. To peel off those old tattered sinful togs and put on the new. Dressing for spiritual success, we change into the clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Sometimes, we like those old clothes too much–those ratty old jeans and holey T-shirts are really comfortable. But, unfortunately, it takes time to go through our spiritual closets and replace some items we cling to. Thankfully, God is patient, and through the Holy Spirit, he helps us discard those old items of sinfulness and put on new righteousness.

God, you have chosen us in your great love and grace, and we are thankful. Please help us to discard any remnants of our old clothing as we put on the new so we may project your righteousness and glory to the world. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim