10/15/2019
What are you wearing today? I am not talking so much about your physical attire, but your spiritual clothing. There are a couple of wonderful verses of scripture regarding how we should dress once we have accepted Jesus as our savior, but do we put on those clothes every day, or do we keep our old uniform of sin and worldliness in our closet... only wearing our faith when it suits us?
“And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.”
Galatians 3:27 NLT
My father was an army officer, and he wore a uniform every day... he looked magnificent in it. Then one day I went off to college at the Virginia Military Institute, and I wore a uniform every day, and looked equally great in it. There is something about wearing a uniform that makes us quite different than we once were. Many people wear uniforms in their occupation.... doctors, nurses, firemen, policemen, soldiers, judges, priests, even repairmen, cowboys, and janitors... the list goes on, and on. As Christians we too wear a uniform that identifies us as being of Christ.
“Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”
Romans 13:14 NLT
Clothing not only changes how we look, and tells people a bit about who we are, but it also changes us. Anyone who gets up in the morning and puts on a uniform knows that a transformation occurs the moment they put it on... a judge becomes more than the everyday citizen he was while sleeping in his pajamas, a police officer takes on an official air about himself, and when a pastor puts on his robes, or a priest his habit, they are transformed into more than just a man who walks down the street or someone who says prayers in the restaurant over his meal. When we are baptized we too put on new clothing... we are dressed by God to look Like His Son Jesus. Just as He physically dressed Adam and Eve, he dresses us spiritually in the uniform of faith.
“And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.”
Genesis 3:21 NLT
So today you opened your eyes, ate breakfast, and dressed yourself for your day, but before you did any of these things you should have clothed yourself, first and foremost, in the presence of Jesus Christ. Is this what you do each and every morning? Do you rise from your bed a changed man or woman who from that first waking breath is obviously different? If you have children in your home did they see you in your Christian attire from the moment you opened your eyes, or did they hear gruffness in your voice, and experience you as just another earthly father or mother who is irritated by their kid’s questions, slowness in getting dressed for school, or one of a hundred other challenges? Did your spouse receive the love that Christ has for the church, or the respect they are due? All of this and more is who you should have become in Jesus, and what being clothed in Him should say to the world about you. You should be wearing His character, and performing in your official capacity as a believer from the moment you reenter the world from your nightly slumber... not after you get your first cup of coffee, not after you wash the sleep out of your eyes, or once you have dressed and are walking out the front door, but from that first breath of the day.
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
Colossians 3:12-15 NLT
So let’s all take a look at ourselves today, and the uniforms we wear. Let’s ask ourselves if, and when, we clothed ourselves in Christ. Let’s ask ourselves if what we slipped on before our earthly clothing shines so bright that it can be seen glowing through our business suit, or whatever uniform, or article of clothing we have on. Looking at ourselves in this way might be uncomfortable for us, but this is how we are known to our families, our friends, and the world. Clothing ourselves in Christ changes how we perform our worldly duties as doctors, nurses, policemen, and even pastors... What are we seeing today as we look at how we are dressed?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for clothing me in your Son Jesus Christ, and thank you for reminding me each day that I am to wear Him from the moment I become aware, and take my first breath. Help me Holy Father to greet each day fully clothed in Him, and acting as He would act. Teach me what it means to be irreversibly transformed into a new person, and that He is not a uniform I take off each day when I come home, or perhaps that I hang on a coat hook at work when I put on my worldly uniform there. when I put on my shirt that bears my name let the world around me also see His. Holy, Holy, Holy, Are you my God who dresses me in grace, and makes me to look like your Son. Praised be your name for the transformation that clothing myself in Jesus brings. Strong is your arm, and your deliverance from my old sinful self that once wore only the uniform of the world, but is now radiant, and gloriously covered by Jesus. All glory is yours Holy Father because you have dressed me for my day, and prepared me to face the world in righteousness... the light of Christ shines forth from me, and I am yours.
“And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.”
Matthew 17:2 ESV
Rich Forbes