On a mission trip I once undertook, I had the distinct privilege of touring the “gateway to India” in Mumbai. The city was originally named Bombay while Great Britain was in control of the country and city. After India was able to secure their independence, the folks in Bombay wanted to identify their “new” city under their Indian rule, and coined the name Mumbai. They didn’t want to continue to be associated with the “old” way of life but wanted to be identified with their “new.” Therefore, they “put off” their old title and “put on” their new.
As runners, and/or those who exercise, we know what it’s like to exert, and get a perfectly clean set of clothes dirty. When we are done with the exertion, we don’t remove the dirty clothes, clean up, and then put them back on. Rather, we remove the dirty, and put on clean. In essence, we are removing the “old” and putting on the “new.” When I was a high schooler, my mom used to tell me that I got in shape getting my athletic clothes dirty while she got in shape getting them clean!
Colossians 3 shares the importance of putting off the “old” and putting on the “new” as well. Prior to man trusting in and living like Jesus, it is quite normal for him to be angry, bitter, hold grudges, gossip about others, and retaliate unkindness to those who are unkind to them Too often, we reciprocate to others what is occurring to us. It’s quite easy to be nice to those who are nice to us, and kind to those who are kind, etc. Conditional love is just that, a condition rather than intentionality. Unfortunately, circumstances are not always in our favor, and when we are hurt, we too often are tempted to hurt in return. If someone raises their voice in anger, we are tempted to do the same. When someone bad-mouths us, we tend to want to do the same in return. What God, and our world, needs is for us to do is to show Christlikeness no matter what. So, instead of living like the “old” person, having conditional love and returning wrong for wrong, we need to “put on” compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and forgiveness.
Running or cycling early in the morning or later at night requires a light. The light is definitely the most notable when it is the darkest. Thus, it Is when we “put on” godly characteristics and “put off” the old. You and I know how and when we act unkindly, and deep down inside, we don’t like it. But, our flesh is often weak and we respond according to those around us.
God tells us to be like Christ, and the best way to do that is to follow His example and commands. One great motivation for exercise is setting a goal, and the great satisfaction of meeting that goal makes all the work worth it.. Rather than only setting distance and time goals, let’s set goals for our lifestyle as well. Be known as one who “puts off” anger and unkind behavior, and one that “puts on” compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and forgiveness. Run hard and live right!
