Brethren, this is not a suggestion. It’s not a slogan for Sunday mornings. It’s a command from Heaven itself – “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh” (Romans 13:14, KJV).
This is the wardrobe change of eternity – the exchange of filthy rags for righteousness, darkness for light, death for life. Every morning, we stand before two closets: one holds the garments of the old man, stained with pride, lust, and fear. The other – radiant, holy, pure – belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. Which one will you wear?
Putting on Christ means you refuse to live halfway. It means you strip off self and step into the life of the One who died for you. It’s not about blending in with religion; it’s about being clothed in resurrection power.
1. The Core Command: Awake and Dress for the Day
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:12).
Paul isn’t whispering here – he’s shouting a wake-up call to a sleeping church. Friends, it’s time to throw off the garments of complacency. You cannot love your neighbor while wearing bitterness. You cannot walk in the light while keeping company with the dark.
“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). A renewed mind always matches renewed clothing.
2. Put On by Union with Christ
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).
Baptism isn’t a ritual – it’s a spiritual wardrobe change. The old man dies, the new man rises. “Buried with Him in baptism… ye are risen with Him” (Colossians 2:12).
When we come up from the water, we don’t just wear forgiveness; we wear Christ Himself. “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:8). His Spirit ensures the life fits the clothes.
3. Put Off the Flesh, Walk in the Spirit
You can’t wear Christ and cater to the flesh. “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
Grace doesn’t just forgive; it trains us – “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly” (Titus 2:12).
So, brethren, abstain. “Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). Every indulgence you refuse is another piece of the old garment cast aside.
4. The Bible’s Clothing Motif: From Rags to Robes
The Word paints a vivid picture – filthy garments replaced with holy robes.
“He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10). That’s not poetry – that’s prophecy fulfilled in Christ.
When Joshua the high priest stood clothed in filth, God said, “Take away the filthy garments… I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee” (Zechariah 3:4).
And remember the prodigal: “Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him” (Luke 15:22). That robe still fits every sinner who returns home.
5. Armor of Light and Armor of God
We aren’t dressing for leisure; we’re dressing for battle. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand” (Ephesians 6:11).
Each piece – truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word – is part of Christ Himself. “Let us put on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:8).
God Himself modeled it: “He put on righteousness as a breastplate” (Isaiah 59:17). If the Almighty arms Himself with righteousness, what makes us think we can fight bare-chested?
6. Put On the New Man
“Put off the old man… and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:22–24).
This isn’t behavior modification; it’s identity transformation. The “new man” doesn’t just act like Christ – he lives from Christ. “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23).
7. Clothed with Righteousness and Love
“He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation” (Isaiah 61:10). That’s imputed righteousness. But it’s not meant to hang unworn – it’s meant to be lived out. “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous” (1 John 3:7).
And above all, “Put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness” (Colossians 3:14). Love is the final layer – the visible proof you’re wearing Christ.
8. Walk as Children of Light
“Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).
If your garments are light, walk like it. “Let your light so shine before men” (Matthew 5:16). The world is watching, and the night is almost over – “The day is at hand” (Romans 13:12).
9. Identity in Christ
Who are you really wearing? “I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20).
You are no longer a slave to sin but a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). “Predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). The mirror may show your face, but heaven sees His reflection.
10. Persevering in White
“They shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy” (Revelation 3:4). White garments aren’t earned – they’re maintained by repentance and faith.
“These are they which… have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14). When the stains of life return, wash them again. The fountain is still open.
11. Practical Ways to Put Him On This Week
- Surrender daily. “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself” (Luke 9:23).
- Renew your mind in the Word. “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth” (John 17:17).
- Walk in step with the Spirit. “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14).
- Confess quickly. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive” (1 John 1:9).
- Serve quietly. “By love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
- Make peace eagerly. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).
12. The Thread That Ties It All Together
From Eden to Zion, the story remains the same. God clothes sinners.
“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). That mercy became the prophecy of Calvary – the Lamb slain to cover shame.
He who once clothed Himself with light (Psalm 104:2) now clothes us in His own righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). What began in a garden ends in glory, where the Bride stands in fine linen, clean and white (Revelation 19:8).
13. The Final Call
Putting on Christ is not costume. It is covenant. It’s a declaration that you belong to Him – body, soul, and spirit.
So, brethren, cast off the old. Clothe yourself with the new. Walk in light. Love without hypocrisy. Stand in truth. And when you stumble, run home. The Father still keeps the best robe ready.
Praise be to God, who covers shame with grace and turns sinners into saints clothed in glory.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
