How many of us have ever worn a coat to church?  I think the answer to that one is pretty obvious.  Most Sundays, or whatever days we attend church, especially in the winter months all of us tend to wear something removable that we shed once we enter the warmth of the building.  But, let me ask you this… How many of us upon walking in the church building put on another kind of coat, or to put it plainly, a façade?  I have been pondering this subject for quite a while now.  And, while our group was leading worship at another church I noticed a coat rack in the rear of the building and wondered, “how many people put on their ‘God Coat’ upon walking through these doors.  Of course I wasn’t thinking of that specific church, I was considering all churches in general.  What I mean by a ‘God Coat’ is simply putting on an appearance of being Christ-like while in the presence of the preacher and other like minded people.  It’s easy to be a Christian or to be Christ-like when everyone around you is being or is appearing to be as well.  But, how do we act when we aren’t in church knowing other Christians aren’t watching us?  When we’re around people that aren’t church goers do we tend to act more like them?  Think about it for a minute… When a coworker or another friend is doing something unbecoming of a Christian do we cheer them on, laugh, find amusement and join them in their actions or do we remove ourselves from the situation recognizing that it could be detrimental to our salvation?  For those of us with children, we know how honest our kids can be, would they say we act and talk different around church or church people than we do around our other friends outside of the church?

In Romans chapter 12, Paul tells us that we are to ‘be not conformed to this world, but to be transformed’.  Being conformed means to become similar in form, nature, and character and being transformed means to undergo a change in form.  If we are conformed we are the same as everything and everyone else around us.  But, if we have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ then we are called to be transformed which means we will be different than the others around us… and it WILL be noticeable.  One might ask how we go about being transformed.  If we read further in verse 2 it tells us, “by the renewing of your mind”.  Renewing, meaning that we have to make it like new.  Something that’s new doesn’t have anything in it, on it, it isn’t damaged… it’s ‘like new’.  How do we make our mind like new?  We have to CHANGE our way of thinking.  We have to crucify ourselves, we have to die in the flesh by constantly blocking all of the normal thought processes that we have become accustomed to and force out the old thoughts and steer our thoughts to (Philippians 4:8) “whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, and lovely”.  And believe me, it’s a constant conscious effort! 

The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 14 that we are a holy people to God… meaning we are ‘set apart’.  How can we be holy and set apart if we aren’t living a life of transformation? Living a life of transformation isn’t necessarily easy.  God gives us a choice.  Salvation is our gift if we choose to accept it.  What we do with our new life in Christ once we have it is up to us.  Choosing a life in Christ automatically calls us to carry God’s word.  Matthew 28: 19 says, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations”.  It’s not saying we are all called to be preachers or teachers or even any type of positional leader.  We are called to be an example; an example of Christ through our transformation. And, if we’re acting like the rest of the world, how is anyone supposed to know that there is something different about us?  Furthermore, if you don’t want someone to notice there is something different about you, why did you commit your life to Christ in the first place?

If you know you are one of the people that wear a ‘God Coat’, let’s start making a change.  Pray and tell God you recognize your behavior is not what it should be and ask him to help you to make a genuine change.  James 4:8 tells us, “Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you”.  He will help you overcome any of the challenges you have if you will diligently seek Him.  But remember, it WILL require effort from YOU.  God will help you if you are willing to try to help yourself.

The above devotional was written by Jimmy Lowery.  Please return again to read more concerning living a life of everyday worship.  © 2010 Jimmy Lowery.