I was given a suit several years ago by a well intentioned but fashion unconscious friend when I was home in Massachusetts on a break from the Air Force. The suit was a (ready for this?) Montgomery Ward special...the right size, but it was cut like a box and made me look like a short Italian version of Herman Munster.  It was uncomfortable, and ended up being promptly bagged and brought to the curb the day I returned to the base.

The prophet Jeremiah told Israel  "I spoke to you in your prosperity, [But] you said, 'I will not hear.' This [has been] your manner from your youth, that you did not obey My voice." (Jer:22:21I spoke to you in your prosperity, [But] you said, 'I will not hear.' This [has been] your manner from your youth, That you did not obey My voice.)  How sad it is to think that we miss so much of what God desires to say to us. Then while we prosper; the result of His goodness and grace, His voice goes unheeded. The issue - this is the pattern, from our youth. Our rebellion is the result of the repetitious way we respond to situations and circumstances. 

Ok, what does this have to do with the cheap suit?  Hold on, I'll get there in a minute.

Have you ever said, "This is just the way I am” or "I've always done it this way"? I have and what it reveals is that I understand the problem (a pattern of the way I do things that has been established over a long time) but I may not understand that God has an expectation of change and growth for me. He expects us to change and grow!  2 Pet:3:18but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him [be] the glory both now and forever. Amen. says "...but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him [be] the glory both now and forever. Amen." 

In Col:3:8But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. the Bible says "But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth." Put 'em off like an old suit.

One of the roles Paul established for leaders was setting an example for those they lead. This means more than demonstrating an outcome of service, the proofs of ministry or methodology. It involves demonstrating new patterns and being an example of changing and growing. Over the years, we develop some pretty terrible habits in the way we think and process information, as well as acting on the conclusion of those thoughts. So, we must develop new patterns of thinking and acting. 

As a leader, Paul shared the struggles of his valleys  (Ro 7) and the glories of  his mountain top experiences ( 2 Cor:12:2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago -- whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows -- such a one was caught up to the third heaven.). in order to allow those who knew him to peek into his life and see his patterns - the way he handled life. In Phil:3:17 he said "Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern." How many of us can point to our own lives and suggest this those watching...follow my example.  He then told Timothy to hold to the 'pattern' that his doctrine encouraged (2 Tim:1:13) and the Timothy should "...in all things showing yourself [to be] a pattern of good works; in doctrine [showing] integrity, reverence, incorruptibility..."

Then, to the Ephesians, "that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.." Take off that cheap suit... that doesn’t fit you anymore because it was sown together by your old habits of thinking and acting over the years to fit someone else - the former you who has died with Christ (Col 3;3). It doesn't fit you anymore!  Break up those old patterns.

David said it like this "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." Mediation on the scriptures does more than create the memory of the verse/s. True mediation is 'mentally rehearsing' truth, in a manner that effects how I process the details of my life. Paraphrasing David - let the established patterns, the habits that I form in the way I think and act...please you Lord!

Lord, help us to identify those patterns in our life, that while we are accustomed to them, hinder us; and teach us to put on the new patterns of humility, accountability and obedience. In Christ name - Amen.