“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ”. (Gal 3:26-27 NIV)
It has been said, though not without some dissention, that “clothes make a man.” I know this to be somewhat true for me in terms of how I act. Jeans, t-shirt and tennis shoes effect an enjoyment of a more casual, laid back experience of life. A coat and tie encourage a more upright, professional demeanor. When taking my wife on a romantic date, out come the more “fashionable” things that communicate specialness for the occasion. Clothes, indeed, help set (or at least complement) the tenor of my behavior.
Do you know that as a believer in Christ, you are wearing a new set of clothes? It’s true! As today’s scripture says, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ”. Through faith, you have been placed “into” Christ (this is what baptism here means), and by analogy you “wear” Christ, like a set of clothes. Unlike earthly clothes which need to be changed, washed and stored away until needed, our “Christ” garment is permanently on us, never needing to be cleaned and certainly not to be stored away.
The Christian does well to remember this picture, for it helps in living a holy lifestyle: “Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Romans 13:14). Seeing yourself as clothed in this manner will foster change in your behavior. Yes, clothes make a spiritual man.
Have you “put on Christ” (KJV) today? I don’t mean just wearing a WWJD bracelet. I mean walking through this day with the conscious knowledge that you are “in Christ”? All that He is, is yours. You are His child, forgiven, redeemed and a new creature in Christ. When you see who you are in Christ, then you will begin to put on the character of Christ, wear His heart on your sleeve (so to speak), and seek to emulate Him in actions and thoughts toward others. You are a child of the King! Now rise to the standard of the clothes you are wearing.
Now that is a set of clothes worth admiring!
Prayer: Father help me to wear my clothes in such a way you will be proud of me. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
