Put On Jesus

Can you imagine what would happen if a Soldier forgot to “put on” his body armor and combat equipment prior to war? It would be unbelievably dangerous and would most likely result in his death. The uniform and battle equipment a Soldier “puts on” are very much part of his identity. Even for a regular person, clothing speaks volumes about his or her identity. In western cultures and more than anywhere else in the world, clothing defines a person. Keep this in mind as Paul speaks about “putting on” the armor of light and the Lord Jesus Christ.

After Paul instructs the Roman church to “…put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12), he commands them to “…put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:14). 

What does it mean “to put on the Lord Jesus Christ?” It means becoming like Jesus. It means having His character. It means cooperating with the Holy Spirit in the sanctification process and being sanctified means being made more and more into the likeness of Christ. In Galatians Paul told believers that they had clothed themselves in Christ (Galatians 3:27). Because of a person’s belief and spiritual union with Christ they have become one with Him. Paul uses the word “clothe” because we must continually “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” as we would put our clothes on every day. Ultimately, “putting on the Lord Jesus Christ” means putting on His characteristics, such as His compassion, His righteousness, His kindness, His humility, His love, His, gentleness, His purity, His holiness, His patience, and His goodness. It means becoming like Jesus. When we “put on Christ” we are identifying ourselves with Him and all that He is. We take off our old self (our previous life and sinful behavior) and put on our new life (our new way of living).

The flesh is weak and corrupt, translation, our human nature is weak and corrupt. Paul is drawing the contrast between being in Christ versus walking in the self-centered nature of sinful flesh. We are instructed to crucify the flesh (Galatians 2:20) and to never again think about how to satisfy its sinful desires. Never fail to remember that our sinful nature is still present within us, which is the reason why we are to “make no provision for the flesh.” Darkness must flee in the presence of light. Thus when a person “puts on the armor of light” the darkness flees from their life.

What is keeping you from putting on the Lord Jesus Christ?