Christ Put On

AUGUST 15, 2023

 “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:14)

This text sums up the concluding exhortation of the thirteenth chapter. “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ…” Paul begins this last paragraph with this acknowledgement: “And that, knowing the time…”He speaks of his Roman brethren as “knowing the time.” It is a great tragedy when one does not know the time as to the day of his own life; day is here analogous to one’s life, particularly the life of a Christian. It begins when he is awakened out of sleep, when he hears the morning call: “It is high time to awake out of sleep.” This is the spiritual awaking that happens when the Holy Spirit by regeneration, calls one out of death’s dark night into the marvelous light of life in Christ.

The Apostle next instructs all newly awakened souls as to the first order of business for the new day, or the new life. We must put off our night clothes, or as the Word reads, “cast off the works of darkness.”These works of darkness are the old ways and habits of sin. We must then get dressed for the day, or in the words of the text, “Let us put on the armour of light.” This word “armour” may describe the garments and equipment of a soldier, or the term might also be used in reference to appropriate apparel for any kind of work.

The Apostle might have given a long list of articles that make up the Christian’s dress, but he chose to make it very simple. “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.” To put on Christ is to put on every item of the Christian’s apparel at once. Thus, He will be seen in every aspect of our life. We will mind the same things (Phil. 2:5), walk the same walk (I John 2:6), manifest the same fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-25), and live to the glory of the same heavenly Father – His Father and ours.

This apparel is for those who have been awakened to receive the Light and would now “walk honestly, as in the day.” (Vs. 13a) Christ must be IN us before He can be ON us. The King’s daughter was madeall glorious within, before she was adorned with wrought gold (Psa. 45:13, 14). This morning call is addressed to all who are born again. He is not telling them how to become Christians. Some religious people want to put the cart before the horse. Grace first puts Christ in us (Col. 1:17). Christ IN us is ourhope of glory; Christ ON us is the evidence that we have this hope. Christ is in the heart by faith; He is seen in the life as we obediently put Him on. To put it another way: The secret of Christian life is Christ in us; the beauty of the Christian life is Christ put on.

What a beautiful and wonderful expression! “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.” He is our whole armor. He is our entire wardrobe. Clearly, Paul is not here speaking about imputed righteousness. This has to do with everyday practical Christian living. This is not, however, to exclude faith. We are fully aware of our own nakedness with respect to righteousness as well as armor. We must cover our weakness with His strength. We must cover our failure with His triumph.

Christ is our one and only outfit, for He is our all in all. Thankfully, He is a “one size fits all” Savior; whatever one’s age either naturally or in the Lord. Whether you are, spiritually speaking, a “little child,”a “young man” or a “father” (I John 2:12, 13), Christ will be the perfect fit. In fact, for believers of every age, nationality, race, culture, etc., this clothing is never out of style, and it fits all the saints exactly.

To put on Christ means to be clothed in His Person, Character, and Attributes. Putting on Christ is our defense against every temptation. “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”