Message from Scripture: 12/21/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Rom. 13:14: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

 

What are we to be in Christ, once we’ve come in obedience to the gospel? Paul says we’re to put on Christ. The term for put on in the Greek is used to speak of one putting on a garment, to be clothed, to get dressed. It was used of John the Immerser, in speaking of him wearing a garment of camel’s hair (Mark 1:6). Such was practical for the work he was doing in the wilderness. Today, we have numerous options for what we wear, and dress ourselves in a way that speaks about how we feel, what we’re doing, how we want to be perceived, and other such matters. Here in this passage, we are to wear Christ.

 

But what does it mean to wear Christ, to put on Christ? It is to assume His qualities of life as our own, to reflect His image, to seek to follow His will in all we say and do. Paul would remind the Ephesians to “put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph. 4:24). This spiritual garment is entwined with righteousness and holiness. He would also add, to do battle with Satan, we should put on the full armor of God as well (Eph. 6:11).

 

Scripture makes clear we shouldn’t stay in the garments stained by sin, but those that reflect the spiritual active and alive in us. They should see Christ in us, as the impression they get of us is that which the influence of Christ brings about in us. “For all of you who were immersed into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal. 3:27). Being clothed in Christ, our new behavior that reflects Christ in us, makes us distinct from the world around us. Are you clothed with Christ? Can others see Him in you? Is He reflected in what you say and do? What a glorious thing it is to put on Christ and show His salvation working in us. Let others see the garment you wear, which is Christ in you. They will notice. God bless.

 

Robert