"Put on's", part 2

From: Ben Kelley
Subject: "Put on's", part 2

From the introduction to part 1- Most of us, upon waking in the morning, or soon after, take off our bedclothes and put on other clothing in preparation for the day's events. I don't believe many of us would, as a habit, ignore this practice and head out each morning in our bedclothes, for it is a necessary part of our preparation for the day's activities. The Bible regularly tells us to do the same sort of thing spiritually. In this series of messages, I want us to look at and consider a number of these passages and try to make it a habit to do what they say, regularly.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:27-28 (KJV) Many Christians behave as if they believe in the old "class distinctions" the world perpetuates. Men look down as women as inferior servants placed here for their benefit. People of differing skin colors see those with differing coloration as either vastly superior or inferior to themselves, while citizens of one country see those from other countries as their enemies, simply based on where they're from. God's Word teaches us that all believers are equal, for they are no longer seen by God as different, but alike in Christ. Therefore, we should see them in the same way, with all differences being abolished

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. ( Ephesians 4:17-24 (NKJV) We are no longer pigs playing in the mud of sin. We have been washed and made whiter than snow. God now sees us spiritually as clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, but too often, the people around us don't see that, for we walk around this earth doing the same old things we used to do. Our Scripture tells us we are to take active steps to ensure others around us see us as we really are, as citizens of Heaven, and dressed accordingly. We are to no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Instead, we must consciously put off the old lifestyle and put on the new way of living, walking in and seeking after the righteousness and holiness that God has re-created us in. Our physical lives are to begin to match our spiritual status. Each day, we physically take off our old, dirty, clothes and put on fresh clothing. We dress according to where we're going. If we are going to work out in the garden, we put on old work clothes, but if we are going to some special occasion or place, we put on nice, clean, under and outer wear appropriate to our destination. Spiritually, we need to do the same thing each day, or more often if we have "gotten dirty" by sin. We are headed to "God's house", so let's make sure we're dressed properly.