Romans 13: 8-14
Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. - Romans 13:14
The clothes you wear draws the attention of people—some quite defining, others clearly shabby- they come in varied shapes, sizes and fashions! A Christian is to be rightly noticed by being “clothed with Christ!” Now that is something we need to ponder on.
How does one “put on the Lord Jesus Christ”?
· Put on the new man
It has to first begin with a new creation as it says in 2 Cor.5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” The TLB version reads:
“When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!”
The new birth through the Spirit of God in the person who gives his/her life to Christ, is the first part in putting on Christ. The Spiritual birth on the inside of a person opens his understanding to a new way of thinking, living and attitude. Our priorities change- our first thinking become how to live pleasing to the One who gave His life to save us from eternal condemnation and death. Christ becomes the center of one who is made a new creation. The new creation in Christ gets noticed when people see Christ’s abundant life of love, joy and peace shining through us.
· Put on the new nature
The new nature granted to the born-again by the Holy Spirit has to be nurtured to grow in us. Colossians 3:10 says we have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. This renewal within takes place as we get to know our Lord Jesus in our personal relationship with Him. 2 Peter 1: 3 that “…His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us…” Thus, we need to learn to know the Lord better each day.
God created us in His image and likeness in order to exhibit His exact image. Therefore the new nature has to exhibit Christ-like character through our lives. Paul defines this in Colossians 3: 12-14: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” The new wardrobe for a believer is clear in the virtues mentioned as part of putting on Christ!
The new nature has to be developed by yielding oneself to the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. Our love for the Lord finds expression in our godly living and love for others. When children of God conduct themselves properly under God’s command, then the expressions of love, forgiveness and compassion come from a sincere heart to Him, spreading to others too. Rom.13:10 tells us: “Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”
Day by day, darkness is engulfing the world we live in, with wickedness abounding. Yet we should always see ourselves as children of light living in obedience to His Word and His Spirit. We are to keep our lives in godliness and from indulging in evil desires and deeds not befitting children of God. Romans 13:11 reminds us “Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” How prepared must we be for the Lord’s coming! God loves us and encourages us in view of His great mercy to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Him and to be transformed by the renewing of our mind so we know and live in His pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2). When we yield thus to Him, others will see us clothed with the presence of Christ.
Think on: And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:24)
Listen: 'Christ be all around me'