The Naked Truth

Now I know what you are thinking. Is this even fit to read??? Well yes, get past the title and you will find a very good lesson. Having spent many years on the coast of California, we spent a lot of time “catchin’ waves”. There just isn’t anything like staring at the vastness of the ocean and reflecting of God’s Power, His Majesty, His Might, and yet His love and care for us. The wonderful thing about the beaches we went to was that for the most part, they were colder beaches and most of the time jackets were worn, and in general more clothing than at the more southern beaches. This was a blessing.
But we all probably have seen the sight of a woman or a man in a in a skimpy swim suit lounging or walking along the beach. Follow me down the beach for just a moment. This profound little picture has such a spiritual meaning! When people are dressed as such or undressed as I like to say. Many of them barely have on enough clothing to cover a flea. As you glance at this picture---you see A LOT of flesh. And that is just the way we should expect it. What do I mean? Well, for the unregenerate person all he/she can do is live their lives in the flesh. That is all that shows. Boy do they show a lot of flesh.
However, we as believers also get into the “flesh” many times. And I just want you to think for a minute what that looks like----all that flesh hanging out!! We think of the beach scene aghast. But yet we will literal go naked at home, or out shopping and even to church!! We do not hesitate to tell a sister a “thing or two”, or gossip. How about being impatient with our spouse or children for not moving quickly enough? How about when there is a need turning your head in the opposite direction while saying someone else can do that job. Not being available for a listening ear. Not having compassion on those who need it. Most often it is our tongues that “lick” us! We intentionally hurt someone. Or tell someone the Truth – without love. I could make this list as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. But I think you are beginning to get the idea. There are many deeds of the flesh (Col 3:5,7-9, Eph. 4:31-32, Gal. 5:19-21), and every time we walk in the “flesh” we look like that lady who was quite heavy in her bikini and flesh was everywhere! (That was a true sighting---please note I am not making fun of heavy people, I myself am of the heavy side too----but I do not wear bikinis!) That is sickening!! It made me really think! As I was teaching my boys about this, I would remind them every time they were knowingly sinning I would say,: Are you walking around naked? Do you need to go to the clothes closet and change?
Change into what:
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 whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

Change our inconsiderate actions for ones of compassion. Change our uncaring hearts for hearts of kindness. Trample our pride and replace it with humility. Round our rough edges with gentleness. And change our snappiness to patience in all things. Having a heart of forgiveness at all times. Change our many hateful attitudes and actions to ones of love, which clothes us completely.

This is how you properly clothe yourself so as to not run around naked!

I ask you to think about what you look like when you walk around in the flesh---I promise you it is ugly!! Let us consider how we are to clothe ourselves and not go around showing our flesh and in doing so we will glorify the Lord!