by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta
Not pilfering, but showing
all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all
things. (Titus 2:10 NKJV)
We women love to adorn ourselves with new clothes, jewelry,
and hair styles. We spend hours making ourselves as beautiful as possible before
we walk out the door.
When we are young girls we meticulously prepare for special
dates such as high school proms, dinners, banquets, and meetings. We plan for
months with attention to every detail as the biggest event of our lives
approaches—the wedding. We want everything to be perfect.
Females love to be adorned with beauty.
Paul wrote to Titus and gave instructions for the roles of
men and women in the body of Christ. Part of those instructions were for women
to show fidelity by not pilfering (which means to steal)[i], but to adorn themselves
with the doctrine of Christ. Adorn[ii] means to enhance the
appearance of an object or to decorate.
The people Titus ministered to were in Crete, a place filled
with immorality and selfishness. The believers in Crete had come out of this
heathenistic lifestyle and even though they were born again believers, they needed
to retrain their minds in how to live according to God’s ways.
Our environment is no different now. We are surrounded by
ungodliness on every level. The temptation to give in and go along with the
crowd tells us life would be easier if we would just compromise. Voices demand their
own way. Nothing is looked upon as sin.
As Christian women, how do we adorn ourselves with the
gospel of Christ in a spiritually darkened atmosphere?
We put on the robe of righteousness. This means we
see ourselves as God sees us. Not in condemnation or guilt but made holy by the
blood of Christ. Rather than living in despair and despondency, we should see
the victory our Savior has given us.
Just as He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before
Him. (Ephesians 1:4 NASB)
We wear the shoes of the gospel of peace. When we put
on those sandals, espadrilles, or pumps, we can look at these as leaving the
footprints of Jesus wherever we go. We carry the message of peace as we travel through
our cities by refusing to give in to offense when a situation arises that can
stir up agitation.
Wear shoes that are able to
speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. (Ephesians 6:15 (TLB)
We guard our minds with the crown of life. The words
of Christ should always be uppermost in our minds to protect us from deception.
Once we are established in truth, we are stable and the winds of change,
political correctness, sinful opinions, or media bias won’t topple our belief
system.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs
4:23 ESV)
When we are adorned with the gospel we are enhanced by the loveliness
of the grace of Christ. Physical allure can’t compare with the exquisiteness of
heaven as we wrap ourselves in the cloak of God’s love.
Our appearance in this world can shine like a beacon of hope
to attract others to this same wardrobe.
But put on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Romans 13:14)
Our ladies Bible study at my church is currently studying
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth’s book, Adorned, Living Out the Beauty of the Gospel
Together.
You may want to check out this study and see more about how
you can adorn your life with wearing Christ’s character every day.
Join the conversation and share your thoughts. What other
ways can you think of that show us how to adorn our lives with the gospel?
TWEETABLE
How Can We Adorn Ourselves with the Gospel of Christ? (click to tweet)
Thanks for sharing today- I’ve also read the book. In a time when fashion fads, “young” appearance vs anging is valued, and keeping up with trends is sought, reinforcing lasting beauty is refreshing and worth embracing. I also thought being “clothed with compassion” is another adornment which is in opposition to our “all about me culture”
ReplyDeleteClothed with compassion is so important. That is another attribute we don't see too often in this self occupied world. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteAs I read your title Ms. Barbara, I said to myself, "By allowing Christ to permeate all about me." It's when we invite Him to live His life through us that we are adorned with His gospel. Isn't it wonderful to be a "carrier." I pray we both infect as many people as possible with the gospel of Christ. Then we sit back and watch Him work in their lives. What a delightful post ma'am. I'm so glad you are that "sweet aroma" to God through your obedience to His calling upon your life.
ReplyDeleteI love this, J.D. "By allowing Christ to permeate me." Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. Blessings!
DeleteThank you, Barbara, for these reminders. It's especially helpful as I age, to remember that the wrinkles and spots are beautiful IF my smile is genuine and my actions display the fruit of the spirit.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic thought to realize the wrinkles and spots are beautiful when we display the fruit of the spirit. Thanks so much. Blessings!
DeleteThe robe of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, and the crown of life. Three word pictures to remind me how to adorn myself with the gospel of Christ.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful to God for giving us these word pictures and for reminding us of the adornment He gives us. Thanks for sharing, Candyce. Blessings!
Delete"Leaving the footprints of Jesus everywhere we go." I love that imagery Barbara. I pray we can adorn ourselves for His glory. Thank you for this inspiring and uplifting message.
ReplyDeleteI pray to adorn for His glory too, Katherine. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteWe do, indeed, have a beautiful wardrobe to wear, Barbara. Thank you for this lovely message.
ReplyDeleteWe are given a beautiful wardrobe. Isn't this the best we can choose? Thanks for sharing, Annie. Blessings!
DeleteI love the thought of wearing Christ as a beautiful garment. You painted a beautiful picture Barbara, thank you
ReplyDelete