2 Peter 1: 5-7
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
Most of us are familiar with long-legged, beautiful models with chiseled faces and fit bodies walking the runway at a fashion show. They walk a certain way called catwalk, strutting, and sometimes gliding based on the theme of the designs being displayed. They showcase the various creations of a designer. These models show the final creations of the designer, who then walks on to the stage to receive a roaring applause from the audience.
When we have accepted Jesus into our hearts, we receive a robe of righteousness. We tend to change gradually in our daily walk in faith. By adorning ourselves with this righteousness raiment, we are on full display to the world of our Creator’s fashion: the way He fashions us into His Son’s character. Does that mean that we won’t sin or revert to our old ways? Not a chance that we can walk upright the moment we accept Lord Jesus. We are refined daily if we allow the Holy Spirit to work His way in us. We must accept the fact that we have been bought with a price. Christ paid the price for us on the cross. Galatians 5: 24-26 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. We need a daily renewal of our minds so that eventually the character of Christ will be fully displayed for the world to see. Intentionally, we must cast aside our old sinful nature, if we desire to be transformed into Christ’s likeness.
Dearly beloved, our life on this planet is the runway. We are on full display for the hosts of heaven. We, as believers in Christ Jesus are given robes of righteousness, by our Master Creator. We are supposed to carry those robes in truth and grace, and walk life’s runway displaying our Creator’s creativity. Just as the models don’t wear previous year’s creations, we must cast aside our old nature and put on the new garments of humility, gentleness, and holiness to display our Creator’s character. Ephesians 4: 22-24… that in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
How then shall we live? What steps do we take to be transformed? How do we know that we are transformed? Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians urges believers to walk the walk and live the life worthy of Christ’s sacrifice. We must be humble, truthful, loving and persevere in maintaining peace amongst people. Ephesians 4: 1-3 Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. In addition, he pleads that we lay aside our old self and its evil practices. By doing so we are constantly being transformed into Christ’s likeness. Colossians 3: 8-10 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge to the image of the One who created him…
Paul further asks us to set our minds on things above and not on the things that are of this world (Colossians 3: 2). He advises us to behold whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and of good repute, and praise worthy. We must learn to steer our minds to dwell on such things so that we are continually transformed (Philippians 4: 8-9). When our minds are Kingdom-oriented, then we will start to live like Christ (Colossians 3: 12-14). Now that we are chosen of God, all our thoughts, actions, and words will eventually be on full display for the world to see. We will boldly showcase God’s creativity to the entire earth and to the whole host of the heavens. Entire creation will roar in applause in giving praise and glory to Almighty God.
Finally, we must remember whose we are and who we are. 1 Peter 2: 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. The runway models sometimes trip and fall if they cannot manage to carry their garments the way they are supposed to. We as believers too stumble in our walk if we are distracted by the snares of the worldly temptations. 2 Peter 2: 10 says that we be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble. Let us then live like children of light, being diligent in following His precepts and persevering in our walk of faith despite perilous times. In doing so, we will never stumble.
Practical Christian Living 