Let’s face it: no one likes to be told that they’re wrong.

I was reflecting recently on my behaviour in a certain matter (in which I’d been wronged) and admitting that I hadn’t lived up to the high standard expected of people that claim to follow Christ.

I talked to God about it and admitted I needed to lift my game.

Then I reflected on some of the ideas in these verses:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Compassion. Kindness. Humility. Gentleness. Patience. Tolerance. Forgiveness.

And over all these virtues, put on love…

The virtues of the Christian life. In the above passage, these virtues become a metaphorical outfit that we clothe ourselves with as we represent Christ.

And love is like the coat, or suit jacket, over the top.

I was thinking how – in my aim to lift my game – I could easily get rather ‘tick a box’ about the changes I should make.

I should be more this. I should be more that. I should stop doing these things.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

However, that is not the mode of operation suggested by the apostle, Paul in the passage. Paul says to put on love.

Paul says it’s all about the heart. Not legalistic box ticking.

In the Old Testament, the Jews were required to meet the standards set in God’s laws. But of course, they couldn’t do it, because no one can. They broke the law.

So they would bring sacrifices to offer to God to make amends for their breaking the law. Sounds good, right?

Wrong. It’s only good if you’re heart is in it.

If people offering sacrifices are just going through the motions, doing all the things that look good and right, but have no change of heart, then it’s just legalism.

This is what God says in the book of Isaiah:

I am sick of your sacrifices. Don’t bring me any more of them. I don’t want your fat rams; I don’t want to see the blood from your offerings. Who wants your sacrifices when you have no sorrow for your sins? The incense you bring me is a stench in my nostrils. Your holy celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath, and your special days for fasting—even your most pious meetings—all are frauds! I want nothing more to do with them. I hate them all; I can’t stand the sight of them. 

We can do the same nowadays. We don’t need an Old Testament sacrificial system to operate with legalism. We can perform – yes, ‘perform’ – a whole range of activities that seem very ‘righteous and holy’ and meanwhile be harbouring a heart that has not changed at all.

So what then should we do? It’s so easy, even in our best attempts, to just go through the motions and look like we’ve changed, when really our hearts haven’t.

The apostle, Paul seems to like analogies of outfits to describe our mode of operation in the Christian life.

Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you. Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.

So use every piece of God’s armour to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up.

But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God’s approval. Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God.

Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere. 

Yours with a heart-driven performance,

Alison