Clothed with Christ

Last Saturday, I enjoyed a family gathering hosted by my oldest daughter Marissa which coincided with Trick or Treat in her neighborhood. I always find it enjoyable to see the wide variety of costumes on display. Some obviously want to have a costume unlike anyone else is wearing. Others want to mimic their favorite character from a movie, a book, or sports. But when it's over, the costume comes off and it's back to being yourself.

But what if being yourself meant you were unique? What if being yourself also meant that your way of thinking and acting reflected the one you admired the most?

God has made us each unique with personal gifts and talents to use in loving service to Him and others and make this world a better place. And what better place could there be than a place where Jesus is? Beginning, in our Baptism, we were clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:27). We don't put on and take off a costume. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that is our identity.

Years ago, there was a popular question asked among God's people: If you were convicted of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? In other words, would you be described as a saint?

This weekend, we're celebrating All Saints' Day (technically, November 1). We remember all who have gone before us in the faith and are now enjoying perfect rest in the presence of our Lord.

But in the New Testament, the word "saint" does not just apply to those who have died, but to all who are in Christ Jesus. Yes, we're all still sinners, and perfect holiness will not be ours until heaven. But right now we can rejoice in who our gracious God has made us through faith in Christ Jesus as we look forward to the day when we see Jesus face to face and celebrate with all the saints at home in the Father's house. -Pastor Schmidt