Ronald Reagan was known for wearing a red power tie, and it now appears that he may have been on to something. For those athletes competing in the Olympics and who are also wearing red it may affect their scores and for those not wearing red it may affect their scores as well. A red uniform according to one study can influence a referee’s scoring decisions and can result in a scoring bias. The study was conducted by psychologists Norbert Hagemann, Bernd Strauss and Jan Lessing of the University of Muenster in Germany. According to their research when athletes are closely matched the color of uniform may tip the scale in scoring but make little difference when one athlete is far superior to the other. They summed up their research by stating, "Although there is a need for further research, including research on the effects of different colors, our results suggest a need to change the rules or support referees by providing electronic decision-making aids in those sports in which this color bias may be a problem."

Every athlete wants to be dressed in the proper attire that will result in their best performance and scoring, whether it may now be in the color red or high tech swimsuits that some are using. As a child of God we also want to be properly dressed. We want to be dressed for success and the apostle Paul tells us some things to wear and some things not to wear in his letter to the Colossians. Paul says, "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5)." Paul also says, "But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds (Colossians 3:8-9)."

To be a Christian dressed for spiritual success, Paul says we need to get rid of those old spiritual clothes. But he does not stop there as Paul says there are some new clothes we need to put on. "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection (Colossians 3:12-14)." Of course, of utmost importance for the well dressed Christian is to "…put on the Lord Jesus Christ…."

It may be time for us to do a little house cleaning and throw out those old stinking clothes. Jesus has bought us some new ones, and they are already paid for! As Paul says in Romans 8:32, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"