ROMANS13:12-14: “The night is almost gone and the day is near, so let us put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the day—not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and envy. Instead, put on the Lord Messiah Yeshua, and stop making provision for the flesh—for its cravings.” TLV

OBSERVATION: What does it mean to put on the Lord Jesus Christ? Paul exhorts us to live as children of the light. As children of the light we are to walk differently, act differently, and think differently. It is the choice we have each day to either walk according to our old inclinations, or after the leading of the Holy Spirit.

As in the natural, so in the spiritual. Have you ever wondered why someone acts so differently when they have on a tuxedo or a formal gown? Clothes do not really change the inside of the person’s heart, but they do change the way they act. A child that is dressed for a wedding will act differently than the same child in an old pair of jeans, t-shirt, and sneakers. This is also true for the believer.

We do not have special Christian clothes that magically change our behavior. However, we have been clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ in our hearts, and this should influence the way we walk, act, and think. This is what Paul is trying to say. To put on the Lord Jesus Christ is not to put on your Sunday best before you go to church. Rather, it is to clothe yourself in humility, to draw upon the grace of God, and to walk after the Holy Spirit in moment by moment dependence.

This takes deliberation. We have to gather our “old clothes” (our old way of walking, acting, and thinking) and throw them away. This is what it means to put off the works of darkness and to put on the armor of light. It is the clothing of our heart and mind. We must stop making any provision for our old ways, and begin making provisions for our new way of life to grow and flourish. This is both practical and spiritual. It speaks about the things we do, the places we go, the people we associate with, the thoughts we entertain. We need to begin to focus on the things that are above so that our spiritual man can grow and flourish!

• “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise—dwell on these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—put these things into practice, and the God of shalom will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 TLV

• “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves in tender compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience— bearing with one another and forgiving each other, if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord pardoned you, so also you must pardon others. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfect harmony. Let the shalom of Messiah rule in your hearts—to this shalom you were surely called in one body. Also be thankful. Let the word of Messiah dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:12-17 TLV

Lord, help me today to put off all of my former ways of walking, acting, and thinking. Help me to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and walk after the Holy Spirit in all that I do. Help me to clothe myself in His life, His love, and His light.

In Jesus Name!