a Bible Class series that looks at the importance of ‘wearing’ our Christianity, as described by Paul in his epistles.

The use of terms related to clothing as metaphors of our new experience as Christians is intimated in the experience of the prodigal son on his return home. The best robe is put on him, implying that a change was necessary to his outward appearance in order for him to reflect his new standing. So it is with us as Christians – there should be a deliberate wearing of those things that reflect our new standing in Christ. Clothes tells a story about who we are.

Paul speaks of “Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ”, “Adorning the doctrine” and instructs believers to “put on love”, “put on the armour of God”. As with many of the truths found in the New Testament, we will see that there are both positional and practical sides to this truth, but the crucial thing is that by being informed we would be transformed.

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ

This expression from Romans 13:14 is set in Paul’s writing to those who are ‘called to be saints’ (Rom 1:7). He has beseeched them ‘by the mercies of God [to] present [their] bodies [as a] living sacrifice’ and what follows are a series of exhortations which in part, delineate how the Christians behaviour is to be exemplarily, in the church, in the community and towards government. This culminates in v14 with an instruction containing both a positive and negative element. In Rome, people were characterised by gluttony, drunkeness and sexual immorality but the Christian was to live counter-culture and 1) manifest Christ, 2) make not provision for the flesh. Both elements are equally important. There are some Christians who will place emphasis on living Christ, prayer, reading God’s Word, enjoying Christian fellowship and this they will tell you, is the secret to a victorious life. Others will place emphasis on not doing this, avoid that and being ruthless with the flesh. Whereas this verse teaches us that either emphasis in-and-of-itself is insufficient. We illustrated this with two practical examples: the alcoholic who is doing all the positive things but still leaves drink in his pantry is making provision for the flesh. The shoppaholic who is doing all the positive things but holds on to the credit-card is making provision for the flesh. Equally someone who tends to the negative element but fails to put on Christ will simply become absorbed in religious introversion. Neither outcome is a good testimony to the power of Christ in this dark world. Evidently this is a big deal. So how do we ‘put on Christ’ and ‘make not provision for the flesh?

First, Gal 3.27 states that the putting on of Christ has already taken place. Paul’s instruction here is to make good what has already happened and to actively live in the good of this day-by-day. In the broader scheme of the New Testament this would include producing the fruit of the Spirit. But in the context of the book of Romans it is unlikely to refer to this; the fruit of the Spirit is not really drawn out in the epistle. What has been drawn out are the essential gospel doctrines of redemption (Rom 3), justification (Rom 5), regeneration (Rom 6) and sanctification (Rom 6-8). Paul is calling them to ‘wear’ these doctrines to manifest the person and work of Christ in the believer in the midst of a dark world. This would run parallel with Paul’s mention in Titus of ‘Adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour’ (Titus 2.10).

How do we wear these things?

• Redemption: In contrast to fallen man, we wear the truth of our redemption by evidencing the power of Christ’s shed blood in restoring in us what was lost after the fall. A clear example of this is Christian marriage by which God’s grace can evidence Christ’s redemptive work in realising the principles of headship. So wear redemption and evidence to a fallen world how Christ has restored that which he took not away.
• Justification: In contrast to fallen man, we wear the truth of our justification by evidencing our righteous standing before God. Many professing Christians walk around hanging on to guilt when if they are truly saved they should be rejoicing in their righteousness. Others go on sinning as if the ‘not guilty’ verdict means nothing to them. Wear the truth of justification – it is the most glorious, enriching & humbling thing to realise we have a right standing with God.
• Regeneration: In contrast to fallen man, we wear the truth of our regeneration by living ‘dead to sin and alive to God’. That is to say that we reckon our old man dead – we do not have to and should not respond to its hollow allure – but we reckon ourselves alive to God, and are now able and should respond to His Word.
• Sanctification: In contrast to fallen man, we wear the truth of our sanctification by walking holy lives. This a demanding imperative in our present day and is particularly in keeping within the context of Romans 13 so is likely to be the primary positive element here (“The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light”).

These are all garments residing in the Christian’s wardrobe. The important thing is that we put them on, daily. Who would think of leaving the house of a morning without dressing. Dressing mind you for the occasion. A mechanic does not wear his best suit, nor an office worker – overalls. And so with the believer, he cannot be ready for the day ahead without adorning himself with truth nor would he clothe himself with the clothes of his old nature. These truths beautify the believer as implied by Paul in Titus 2, “Adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour” and provide a winsome testimony to the world around us.

Put on the Whole Armour of God