Clothed with Christ

So, let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime … clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  Romans 13:12b-14

From Guest Blogger Dan Thews:

St. Paul’s letter to the Romans holds a special place in the life of the Christian church. Commentator F.F. Bruce wrote, “Time and again in the course of Christian history it has liberated the minds of men, brought them back to an understanding of the essential Gospel of Christ, and started spiritual revolutions.”

One of those liberated minds belonged to St. Augustine, who is universally acknowledged as one of the world’s most influential Christians — in spite of his less than savory youth. One day as Augustine wept under a fig tree, in deep distress in his struggles with sin and living the Christian life, he turned to a copy of Romans and read from chapter 13, “Let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” He believed and obeyed, and the great mind was liberated for the glory of God and the good of all mankind.

St. Paul teaches Augustine, and all of us, that we are to be concerned with two things: “putting off” and “putting on”. Because of what Christ has done for us we are determined to throw off those things in our lives that will have no place in eternity, with the same distaste that we would throw off filthy clothes when preparing for a formal occasion. Then with equal enthusiasm we are to clothe ourselves with those things that belong to the realm of light and glory, and are suitable (get it, suitable…) to our new life in Christ.

But just how do we do this? Paul gives some good advice. “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14) is a similar expression to “put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12).  This conveys the idea that we are to arm ourselves with the resources of Christ Himself. These include His example, His teaching, His expectations, but primarily His divine power.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I cannot stand against sin alone. I feel the deeds of darkness rising in me; clothe me in Your righteousness. Amen.


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