We tell our children to put on a coat in the winter. We try to instruct them to dress appropriately on important occasions. In much the same way the children of light are told how to dress. This is something that we do. It is not an automatic function of being saved, we have to make the effort to put on the armor of light as we studied last week. We are also told to put on Jesus Christ. This again is something we must do. It is not a work as in “good works”, but without putting on Christ, we are technically naked. We all put our pants on one leg at a time; one person isn’t given better clothes than another. Our clothes are determined by what we put on. The uniform is all the same, but the elements we put on are up to us. However, many people may be living like the Emperor who thought he was dressed in the finest clothes, but was actually naked. Could the devil be telling us we are well dressed, when we are really undressed? It is up to us as to whether we dress or we do not. We are told to, but we are not forced to.
Jesus wore a white garment, a long robe. It was made from a single cloth. This was the standard attire for the Essenes. They all wore white robes, except for John the Baptist who wore camel hair and a leather belt as Elijah the prophet had worn. When John and Jesus went throughout Israel announcing the good news, their garments set them apart from the other people. John crying out for repentance struck a cord within people as he was dressed in the manner of the prophets of the past. Jesus wearing a white robe showed that he was of a holy sect and highly educated in the sacred writings. It would be like wearing a Green Bay Packers Jersey in Oakland. All the Pharisees and Sadducees despised Jesus because they were reminded of what Jesus stood for and the divisions between them.
Clothing announces something about us. Spiritually speaking, if we dress in the armor of light, who will see us? If we put on Jesus Christ, who will notice? This is the reason we are told to clothe ourselves with Jesus the anointed one, because the spiritual beings see us. They know if we are naked or clothed. So when we are told to clothe ourselves, it is a good idea for us to do it.
Romans 13:14G235But G1746clothe on G3588the G2962Lord G*Jesus G5547Christ, G2532and G3588[of the G4561flesh G4307forethought G3361do not G4160have G1519for G19395desire]
1746 ἐνδύω enduō en-doo'-o From G1722 and G1416 (in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on.
Dress by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ. The word enduo is used as “clothe” or “put on”. We see the words put on quite often, which requires action on our part. This is something we should do. We don’t have to, the only penalty to non-action will be self imposed hardship. We can continue to be naked if we choose.
Galations 3:25G2064[having come G1161But G3588of the G4102belief], G3765no longer G5259[under G3807an instructor G1510.2.4are we];
26G3956[all G1063for G5207sons G2316of God G1510.2.5you are] G1223through G3588the G4102belief G1722in G5547Christ G*Jesus.
We are no longer under instructors, we are children through our belief; and if we were baptized, then we put on Christ. How do we do this? Paul explains.
24G2532and G1746to put on G3588the G2537new G444man, G3588the one G2596according to G2316God G2936being created G1722in G1343righteousness G2532and G3742sacredness G3588of the G225truth.
3563 νοῦς nous nooce Probably from the base of G1097; the intellect, that is, mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication meaning KJV Usage: mind, understanding.
The first thing we do is renovate the spirit of our mind. We change our thinking or reform our intellect to accommodate the Holy Spirit. Then we clothe ourselves with the new man that was manufactured by God in righteousness and sacredness of the truth. If we read this in context, we will understand that Paul is telling us not to behave lustfully, unclean, or with greed. Paul then says to put on the new man and afterward says to put off lying and if angry, don’t sin, and don’t give a place for the devil.
Ephesians 4:17-27 (AMP) So this I say and solemnly testify in [the name of] the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the heathen (the Gentiles) do in their perverseness [in the folly, vanity, and emptiness of their souls and the futility] of their minds.
18 Their moral understanding is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. [They are] alienated (estranged, self-banished) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the ignorance (the want of knowledge and perception, the willful blindness) that is deep-seated in them, due to their hardness of heart [to the insensitiveness of their moral nature].
19 In their spiritual apathy they have become callous and past feeling and reckless and have abandoned themselves [a prey] to unbridled sensuality, eager and greedy to indulge in every form of impurity [that their depraved desires may suggest and demand].
20 But you did not so learn Christ!
21 Assuming that you have really heard Him and been taught by Him, as [all] Truth is in Jesus [embodied and personified in Him],
22 Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion;
23 And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],
24 And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with it, let everyone express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another.
26 When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down.
27 Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him].
Now we can understand by Paul’s comparison, that changing our thinking and behavior to righteousness and sacredness of truth is clothing ourselves in the new man. Change our thinking and act accordingly. Again Paul suggests we behave like Christ.
Colossians 3:9G3361Do not G5574lie G1519to G240one another! G554But be divesting G3588the G3820old G444man G4862with G3588 G4234his actions; G1473
10G2532and G1746putting on G3588the G3501new, G3588the one G341being restored G1519in G1922full knowledge, G2596according to G1504the image G3588of the one G2936creating G1473him;
Put off bad actions, put on good behaviors. In the image of the one creating us, there is no Greek or Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision. Everyone is the same in Christ.
Colossians 3:11G3699where G3756there is not G1762 G*Greek G2532and G*Jew, G4061circumcision G2532and G203uncircumcision, G915barbarian, G*Scythian, G1401bondman, G1658free; G235but G3588[2 is the G39563all G25324and G17225in G39566all G55471Christ]!
There is no discrimination when we clothe ourselves with Jesus. I want to point this out because we all have a tendency to discriminate, but Jesus, as we will see shortly, took on the role of a bondman, a servant. Therefore if we truly put on Jesus Christ, we see all humans as equal. No matter how barbaric they behave, everyone needs salvation. Within the Body of Christ everyone is the same, we are all in need of Jesus’ blood and redemption. One person is not better because they are of Jewish lineage, or a male as compared to a female, or a person who accepted Jesus as Lord years ago as compared to someone accepting Jesus as Lord today. There is no difference, the Christ in us is the same, the clothes we put on may be different because that is up to us.
Colossians 3:12G1746Put on G3767then G5613as G1588chosen ones G3588 G2316of God, G39holy ones, G2532and G25beloved, G4698feelings of compassion, G3628pity, G5544graciousness, G5012humility, G4236gentleness, G3115long-suffering!
13G430enduring G240one another, G2532and G5483granting forgiveness G1438to each other G1437if G5100any G4314[3against G51004any G2192should have any G3437blame]. G2531As G2532also G3588the G5547Christ G5483granted forgiveness G1473to you, G3779so G2532also G1473you.
Part of getting dressed is putting on compassion, pity, graciousness, humility, gentleness, and long-suffering. We have to put up with each other and forgive. We all have different lenses in which we see the world. Our vision is determined by our culture, our society, our experiences, our heredity, and our religion. Therefore clothing ourselves in long-suffering is needful especially within the body of Christ.
Colossians 3:14G1909[upon G3956all G1161And] G3778these things G3588the G26love G3748which G1510.2.3is G4886the bonding together G3588of the G5047perfection.
Jesus was clothed in love. Jesus as a servant to humanity was compassionate to all. This is the clothing we should wear. Love is the bonding together of perfection. Love is glue. Once we are clothed in love then we see another action. Let peace preside within our heart.
Colossians 3:15G2532And G3588[the G15153peace G3588 G2316of God G1018let] preside G1722in G3588 G2588your hearts!G1473 G1519in G3739which G2532also G2564you were called G1722in G1520one G4983body. G2532And G2170[gracious G1096be]!
Let peace into our heart and be gracious. We are called to one body, not to denominations or sects. We are of Christ’s Body, so we should be courteous. Then we are to let the word of Christ dwell within us.
Colossians 3:16G3588[the G3056word G3588of the G5547Christ G1774Let] dwell G1722in G1473you G4146richly, G1722in G3956all G4678wisdom; G1321teaching G2532and G3560admonishing G1438yourselves G5568in psalms, G2532andG5215hymns, G2532and G5603[odes G4152spiritual], G1722with G5484favor G103singing G1722in G3588 G2588your heart G1473 G3588to the G2962Lord!
It is easy to build our own selves up in Christ. We read, we study we encourage others, we sing, we worship, we immerse ourselves in Christ. Everything we do, we do in the name of the Lord Jesus. We should be thankful.
Colossians 3:17G2532And G3956everything, G3739what G302ever G4160you should do G1722in G3056word G2228or G1722in G2041work, G3956do all G1722in G3686the name G2962of the Lord G*Jesus, G2168giving thanks G3588to the G2316God G2532and G3962father G1223by G1473him
These are the characteristics of Jesus. This is how we put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wants us to act like Jesus, and he just described what that should look like. Now Paul will tell us why dressing in Christ is a good idea.
1Thessalonians 5:6G686So G3767then G3361we should not G2518be sleeping G5613as G2532also G3588the G3062rest; G235but G1127we should be vigilant G2532and G3525be sober.
7G3588For the ones G1063 G2518sleeping, G3571[night G2518sleep at]; G2532and G3588the ones G3182being intoxicated, G3571[at night G3184are intoxicated].
8G1473But we G1161 G2250being of day G1510.6 G3525should be sober, G1746putting on G2382the chest plate G4102of belief G2532and G26love, G2532and G4030helmet -- G1680hope G4991of deliverance.
Paul suggests we should be awake, alert, and paying attention. We are to put on the chest plate of belief and love. That is a perfect place to put faith and love, over our heart. Remember the heart has thoughts and intents, so putting on faith and love is protection for those thoughts and intents. We are also to put on the helmet of the hope of deliverance. This is a great place to put on the hope of deliverance, because our mind does not always track with the Spirit. We fear in our mind, we imagine things against the knowledge of God, and our thoughts in our mind need to be corralled. The hope of deliverance should always be in the forefront of our thinking, no matter what we do, no matter where we are, no matter what we hear. If we do not trust, believe, or rely on Jesus as Lord and Christ it will be evident in what we say and do. I’ll explain momentarily. But this is the reason we clothe ourselves.
1Thessalonians 5:9G3754For G3756[not G5087set G1473us G3588 G2316God] G1519for G3709wrath, G235but G1519for G4047the procurement G4991of salvation G1223through G3588 G2962our Lord G1473 G*Jesus G5547Christ,
5087LSJ Gloss:τίθημιto set, put, place
Dodson: τίθημιI put, placeI put, place, lay, set, fix, establish.
Thayer:
1) to set, put, place
1a) to place or lay
1b) to put down, lay down
1b1) to bend down
1b2) to lay off or aside, to wear or carry no longer
1b3) to lay by, lay aside money
1c) to set on (serve) something to eat or drink
1d) to set forth, something to be explained by discourse
2) to make
2a) to make (or set) for one's self or for one's use
3) to set, fix establish
3a) to set forth
3b) to establish, ordain
τίθημι tithēmi tith'-ay-mee A prolonged form of a primary word θέω theō (which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses); to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from G2476, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while G2749 is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate)KJV Usage: + advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, X kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down.
If you make Jesus, the Anointed One, your Lord, you are not set to wrath. You are not established to wrath. You are not ordained to wrath. You are not placed in wrath. You are not made for wrath. If you ever hear that the saved called out saints of the Body of Christ have to go through the tribulation, that individual is a liar and a false prophet and a false teacher. The only people appointed to wrath in the end times are the unbelievers who will experience the wrath of the Lamb Rev 6:16-17. We are no longer children of wrath, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience, Eph 5:6, Eph 2:3, Col 3:6, Rom 13:4-5, 1 Thess 2:16. Jesus delivers us out of the coming wrath, 1 Thess 1:10, 1 Thess 5:9, Rom 5:9.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 (AMP) And [how you] look forward to and await the coming of His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, Who personally rescues and delivers us out of and from the wrath [bringing punishment] which is coming [upon the impenitent] and draws us to Himself [investing us with all the privileges and rewards of the new life in Christ, the Messiah].
This is where we have to put on that helmet, we have to deflect any thoughts that come against the trust we have in Jesus. This is the devil’s scheme, to make us doubt. We have to stand on the words of God, the words of the Prophets, written via the Holy Spirit for our learning. We must guard our thoughts. We must guard our mind and our heart. This is to our benefit. Remember Jesus’ analogy of the sower and the seeds? We have to clothe ourselves for our own benefit, for our own protection; and if we think that no one will notice that we are naked, then we are wrong. Spiritual beings know that we are like the naked Emperor.
Yahweh is not mad at us, he is not going to punish us. That is what Jesus’ sacrifice was about. There are so many deceivers spouting how much they know about the future. All they want to do is put others in bondage. Shame on those who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, yet lie to gain money and prominence. If we receive Jesus Christ as Lord, we are saved and spared from the wrath to come. However, we who put on the clothing of Christ in this world will be wearing a white garment when we return with Him. Remember that there is no sneaking in without a wedding garment.
Revelation19:14G2532And G3588the G4753militaries, G3588the ones G1722in G3588the G3772heaven G190followed G1473him G1909upon G2462[horses G3022white], G1746being clothed in G1039[fine linen G3022white G2513clean].
We know what Jesus’ clothes looked like when he walked the earth, and now we see our clothes will look the same. It is an honor for us to wear the same type of clothing that our Lord and Savior wore. It is a symbol of our dedication to Him. The Essenes wore that type of garment as a symbol of purity. In our own strength we are not pure, but Jesus made us righteous and sanctified by His blood. Today, if we are clothed properly, every spiritual being knows it. If we are not clothed with Jesus Christ, we are vulnerable to the abuses of the enemy.
Where does our dressing properly start? In our mind when we put on the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16 (KJV)
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
I Corinthians 2:16G5100For who G1063 G1097knew G3563the mind G2962of the Lord? G3739Who G4822instructs G1473him? G1473But we G1161 G3563[the mind G5547of Christ G2192have].
We looked at this word for mind earlier. Mind, nous, is the intellect. It is the place of head knowledge. We don’t instruct Jesus, we are not that smart, but we can have His mind. We all have a tendency to pray our will, but that is similar to trying to instruct the Lord. Instead we think the way Jesus thinks, with love and compassion. This is not a natural result of simple thinking, it is a result of training our mind to think the way Jesus thought. We want to let this thinking be in us.
Phil2:5G3778[this G1063For G5426let thinking] G1722be in G1473you G3739which G2532also G1722is in G5547Christ G*Jesus!
6G3739who G1722[in G3444 the appearance G2316of God G5224existing], G3756[not G725a seizure G2233esteemed it] G3588 G1510.1to be G2470equal G2316with God;
7G235but G1438emptied himself, G2758 G3444[the appearance G1401of a bondman G2983having taken on], G1722[in G3667the likeness G444of men G1096 having become].
5424 φρονέω phroneō fron-eh'-o From G5424; to exercise the mind, that is, entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience) KJV Usage: set the affection on, (be) care (-ful), (be like-, + be of one, + be of the same, + let this) mind (-ed, regard, savour, think.
Phroneo means to exercise the mind, think the thoughts of Christ by your own will. Jesus emptied himself. We should empty ourselves. We should die to self. What is it to empty ourselves? We all have ideas, opinions, wants, and needs. When we yield to Jesus Christ on all those things we believe to be important we live emptied of our selves. Then we are free from the pressures of the world and we live in Christ. His way and His will in us is living clothed in Jesus Christ.
When we clothe ourselves in Jesus and put on His thoughts and actions, we will be like Him. Jesus the son of the Living God, who came to earth for our benefit, and took on the nature of a slave, just like human slaves. If that wasn’t enough, Jesus was murdered for healing people and bringing hope. If we dress in Christ we will be treated like he was. Just as John the Baptist was treated poorly dressed like Elijah, and just as Jesus wearing the garments of the Essenes was treated poorly, we also will experience some of the same.
Mark 9:11G2532And G1905they asked G1473him, G3004saying G3754that, G3004[say G3588The G1122scribes] G3754that G*it is necessary for Elijah G1163 G2064to come G4412first.
12G3588And he G1161 G611answering G2036said G1473to them, G*Elijah G3303indeed G2064having come G4412first G600restores G3956all things; G2532and G4459how G1125it has been written G1909about G3588the G5207son G3588 G444of man, G2443that G4183many things G3958he should suffer, G2532and G1847should be treated with contempt.
13G235And G3004I say G1473to you, G3754that G2532also G*Elijah G2064has come, G2532and G4160they did G1473to him G3745as much as G2309they wanted, G2531as G1125it was written G1909of G1473him.
Does it seem strange that the two people who came to help humanity were both treated poorly by people? Wouldn’t that be due to the influence of evil within those people? Yet instead of fighting, we are to simply walk in love.
Elijah came as a prophet, then John was another type of Elijah, but in the future the original Elijah will come back. One of the two witnesses, Elijah, will return to the earth to proclaim Jesus. Enoch and Elijah are the only two people in history that did not die and that still have their bodies. They will die during the mid point of the tribulation as it is appointed for every man to die. They will rise in three days and their rising will be viewed by everyone on the earth. Yet Elijah himself was a prophet and was treated poorly, just as John was and just as, in the future, Elijah will be treated poorly again.
Jesus tells his disciples to love one another, even it the world hates them.
John 15:17-25 (AMP) This is what I command you: that you love one another.
18 If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world [no longer one with it], but I have chosen (selected) you out of the world, the world hates (detests) you.
20 Remember that I told you, A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him]. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word and obeyed My teachings, they will also keep and obey yours.
21 But they will do all this to you [inflict all this suffering on you] because of [your bearing] My name and on My account, for they do not know or understand the One Who sent Me.
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin [would be blameless]; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
23 Whoever hates Me also hates My Father.
24 If I had not done (accomplished) among them the works which no one else ever did, they would not be guilty of sin. But [the fact is] now they have both seen [these works] and have hated both Me and My Father.
25 But [this is so] that the word written in their Law might be fulfilled, They hated Me without a cause.
Jesus came as a servant, he healed many, gave hope for the future and shared good news. Jesus told his disciples (and incidentally us), that if the world hated him, the world would hate us. When we wear Jesus Christ we are seen as Jesus. When we act like Jesus, His blood cleanses us. We are announcing the Heavenly Father, the Living God, just as if we were wearing a team jersey.
1 John 1:5-7 (AMP) And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way].
6 [So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents].
7 But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].
Are we armed in light? How will the POW’s know who we are if we are not clothed in tools of light and the clothes of our Lord? This is key to unbroken fellowship among the called out. Clothed in light we do not sever our fellowship in the Body of Christ.
1 John 2:7-11 (AMP)
7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the message which you have heard [the doctrine of salvation through Christ].
8 Yet I am writing you a new commandment, which is true (is realized) in Him and in you, because the darkness (moral blindness) is clearing away and the true Light (the revelation of God in Christ) is already shining.
9 Whoever says he is in the Light and [yet] hates his brother [Christian, born-again child of God his Father] is in darkness even until now.
10 Whoever loves his brother [believer] abides (lives) in the Light, and in It or in him there is no occasion for stumbling or cause for error or sin.
11 But he who hates (detests, despises) his brother [in Christ] is in darkness and walking (living) in the dark; he is straying and does not perceive or know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
The true light is already shining. In the future, after we are clothed in white and come back with Jesus and establish the millennial kingdom, Yahweh will make Zion his habitation. Then he will clothe his priests with salvation. But the enemies will be clothed with shame.
Psalm 132:13-18 (AMP)
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion, He has desired it for His habitation:
14 This is My resting-place forever [says the Lord]; here will I dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will surely and abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 Her priests also will I clothe with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There will I make a horn spring forth and bud for David; I have ordained and prepared a lamp for My anointed [fulfilling the promises of old].
18 His enemies will I clothe with shame, but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
This is after our return to establish Jesus’ reign on the earth, when the satan is bound for one thousand years. The priests are clothed, this does not suggest something they will have to do, but something Yahweh will do. In keeping our time line straight, we see how easily someone could confuse this to believe Yahweh does the clothing now. But this is a future event.
Today, we have to take responsibility for our own wardrobe. We can stand naked and unashamed before all, but it seems that we will be imposing our own hardships on ourselves. Once we are dressed as Team Jesus, we will be hated by some, but yet our tools of warfare are our protection. Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ requires action, both in our mind and in our behavior.
