Declaration: May we willingly embrace God’s “consuming Fire”, and so allow God to burn away all that does not belong within us, in order that we may be properly clothed in the likeness, presence, and power of Christ Jesus!

As an “accident”, the morning began with our worship leader Cheryl starting “Consuming Fire” in the wrong key and having to stop a few bars into the song.  She followed the Spirit’s prompt and took the time to share her heart about the character of God as a “Consuming Fire” as a transition, and how it is a beautiful attribute of His nature that burns away the junk and refines our spirits.  I felt so strongly that Cheryl was speaking the Spirit’s heart in real time, and changed my color palette to set the context for the painting as this churning fire, burning away all the “filthy rags of righteousness” that we bring before God, in order that we might be truly “clothed with Christ” as Joel was about to teach.  It was a wonderfully fitting preparation for the ministry of the Word!  Especially as the passage just preceding the section above that was taught, was about taking off the old nature: Col. 3:8 “But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”  As we sang “Stir it up in our hearts Lord!”, the circular nature of the painting came into focus.

Joel’s opening statement hit me hard, and it has stuck with me!: “If Jesus were to become you for one day, assume your schedule, wear your clothes, do what you do and go where you go... would the people of your life notice the difference?  Would you be more peaceful, more humble, more patient and loving?”  I tried to make this image a view into the realm of the spirit, where a female figure is being robbed by an angelic host with multiple layers of apparel: each color symbolic of one of the qualities of Christ expounded from the passage by Joel: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 

Colossians 3:14 “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

The final “overcoat” we put on is the Love of Christ, symbolized here in blood red (as costly sacrificial love of service) in the hands of the angels.  I like to think the female figure is standing in a posture of service and openness to the Spirit, in the very same “crucified” posture of our King, ready to be like him.

INSPIRATION: Colossians 3:12-14  “12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”