Lydia's name was as famous as Versace except that the Lydia label was a status symbol on exclusive purple garments among high society 2000 years ago. Although Lydia was from Thyatira in Asia this astute and successful businesswoman had chosen to live in Greece in the fashionable city of Philippi. This had a double advantage because it was also a Roman colony.

But there was another side to Lydia, she worshipped God! This was unusual because most people worshipped many gods. One day Paul and three Christian missionaries visited Philippi and spoke at a Sabbath day meeting by a riverside where they heard that some women met regularly to pray.

Lydia was present and as Paul talked about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God opened her heart and she hung upon every word as she heard about how Jesus had left heaven and come to earth in order to pay the penalty for her sins.

Naturally Lydia was always very well dressed but suddenly she realised that she was improperly dressed to stand before God in the day of judgement. She saw that her religion and self-righteousness that she trusted in were like filthy rags in God's sight. [ Isaiah chapter 64 verse 6 ]. It dawned upon her that just as she dyed white linen purple, so only through the blood of Christ could her sinful heart be made white!

Lydia now hated all her sophisticated sins and turned from them to Christ. At that very moment she found Him to be tailor made for her need and she herself became a "new creation"! [ 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17 ]. The joy of Jesus flooded her heart and she was soon baptised in the river. Her genuine faith quickly showed itself when she insisted on providing hospitality for the missionaries in her own home. [ See Acts chapter 16 verses 11-15 ].