“Hey! You got a long coat! Congrats!”
The senior medical residents high-fived the younger resident. In this teaching hospital, an old tradition still persisted. It was the last week of June. The new medical students and interns were beginning a new academic year. In addition to the looks of fear and apprehension on all of their faces, they all wore a short white coat. This immediately distinguished them from their senior residents, fellows, and attending physicians. When an intern advanced to become a first year resident, they were given a long white coat. In some training programs, an elaborate ceremony marks this transition. There are some medical schools that will bestow a long white coat to all of their graduating fourth year medical students, when they are sworn as physicians. The sentiment is the same. The long white coat symbolizes accomplishment and advancement.
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 (NLT)
In God’s Kingdom, Christian believers should also distinguish themselves from others who have not accepted Jesus Christ. It is not with clothing made with fabric but an attire adorned with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We clothe ourselves with these gifts to symbolize our new life and nature in Jesus Christ. It acknowledges our accomplishment and advancement but not by our own efforts. Only God can clothe us if we confess and repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The medical world recognizes achievement by a pristine long white coat. God confirms and recognizes our commitment to Him by clothing us with his pure Spirit, sanctifying our souls stained by sin.
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 