Does God Have A Dress Code?
Ponder: Being properly clothed spiritually.
Scripture: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27 NKJV).
Certain restaurants require that men wear a coat and tie (and then charge a king’s ransom for the meal)! What you wear may mean the difference between being allowed inside and being denied entrance.
Does God have a dress code? We could discuss our attire in the assembly, but let’s save that for another time. I’m talking about how we’re dressed spiritually. To be acceptable to God and gain access to Heaven, we must be clothed with Christ.
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). How do you get into Christ? In this passage, as well as Romans 6:3, Paul says it is by baptism. Having been baptized into Christ, you can accurately say that you are “in Christ.” Likewise, when you put on a garment, you can correctly say you are “in” that garment. For example, you are admitted to that fancy restaurant because you are “in a coat and tie.” So, getting into Christ and putting on Christ are the same thing, and happen at the same time (i.e. at your baptism).
More is involved in “putting on Christ,” however, than baptism alone. Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, who had already obeyed the gospel (see Romans 6:3, 4). He exhorted them to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (13:14).
When an actor puts on a costume, (s)he is supposed to act on stage like the character who would wear such clothing. If you wear a pirate costume, nobody expects you to juggle pins like a clown! Just so, putting on Christ obligates you to live in a Christ-like manner. Fulfilling the lusts of the flesh is inconsistent with wearing Christ. Specifically, putting on Christ rules out such behaviors as revelry (loud, rowdy parties), drunkenness, sexual immorality, contentiousness, and jealousy (Romans 13:13).
Do you meet God’s dress code? Have you been clothed with Christ (i.e. have you put on Christ in baptism)? Is your behavior consistent with wearing Christ?
Song: “Let The Beauty Of Jesus Be Seen In Me”
Prayer: Father, for those who have not yet put on Christ, please help them to see their critical need to do so immediately. And please help all of us to behave as people who wear Jesus. In His name, Amen.
Joe Slater (Justin, TX)