What does it mean to clothe yourself with Christ?
One reason why so many who profess to be Christians are lacking in their followership of Jesus is because from our lack of discipleship, we tend to dismiss or skip over scripture we don’t understand.
It isn’t always difficult passages in the Bible we wrestle with, it can be simple phrasing we’re unfamiliar with, and so we’re not sure what to make of it or do with it. Instead of study or ask, we just skip it.
For example, the Apostle Paul tells us we are to clothe ourselves with Christ …
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts,” Romans 13:14 (NASB).
“And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes,” Galatians 3:27.
So what does it mean to “put on” Jesus? Why does Paul tell us to “clothe” ourselves with Christ? Fredrick Beuchner helps us gain some insight from a story he tells called “The Happy Hypocrite.” It’s a story about a man who was born with an awful facial deformity …
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He grew up alone and lonely. When reaching adulthood, he decided to move from his town to begin a new life. On his way he discovered a beautiful mask that fit his making him look handsome. At first the mask was uncomfortable and he was afraid that people would find out who he really was, but he continued to wear the mask everyday.
In his new hometown, he made many friends and fell in love. But one day a wicked woman from his old home came to his town and discovered this man’s true identity. In front of his friends and fiancé, she forced him to remove his mask. When he removed the mask, it revealed a handsome face. His face had conformed to the mask.
Becoming like Christ is analogous to this. Go ahead and put on Christ. At first it may feel unnatural or uncomfortable, and maybe you may think, “Who am I trying to fool?” But everyday just keep putting on Christ and everyday you will grow to look more like him.
Every day we are to “put on” Christ, and when we do, the Holy Spirit works at transforming us to be more and more like Jesus:
“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him,” Colossians 3:10.
Have you clothed yourself with Christ?
Scotty
November 16, 2019 at 2:52 am
I think this is brilliant! So inspirational.
November 29, 2019 at 12:09 pm
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
March 2, 2021 at 6:46 am
It should be noted also that we cannot access God without clothing ourselves in Christ’s righteousness. If we try and enter before the Lord on our own we are considered reprehensible and vile before God. Just as Aaron could not enter before God without first putting on the garments of the high priest lest he die.
[Leviticus 16:2-4] The LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, or he will die; for I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. [3] Aaron shall enter the holy place with this: with a bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. [4] He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and the linen undergarments shall be next to his body, and he shall be girded with the linen sash and attired with the linen turban (these are holy garments). Then he shall bathe his body in water and put them on.
Clothing ourselves in Christ allows us to come before God who will see the righteousness and purity of Jesus within us.
[2 Corinthians 5:21] He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
March 2, 2021 at 4:03 pm
Hello Russ, thanks for sharing your comment. You are correct that Jesus, alone, is the way, truth and life — no one comes to the Father but through Him. As new creatures created in Christ Jesus, we can boldly before the throne because we are in Christ (clothed with Christ).
October 17, 2022 at 1:07 pm
Mr. Scott my name is Doroty, I am starting a podcat and as I read your story about clothing ourselves with Christ I thought I could use this sory to start my podcast but let me ask the owner if it’s ok with HimI will give you the credit for the story of course
We were tod that we move, breathe and have our being in Him and I do not believe most people resalize what people fully understand what Acts 17 v 28 means.
Thank you for your story
Keep standnd in His favor and stay blessed!
October 17, 2022 at 2:00 pm
Hello Doroty,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding my blog post article. With regard to your request, what do you mean by wanting to “use it”? Usually permission for use is only given to publications we authorize the article to be shared in, such as ChurchLeaders.com, or a public publication, but not for individual use. Certainly you can reference it and point people to the blog post on our website, otherwise I would need more specific information about what you mean by “using it.” I would also need to know what your podcast is about and who your audience is. Until all this is resolved, reproduction of the post of any kind is prohibited.