Put On

Today in church, Pastor Ness talked briefly about things that we need to put on. He mentioned righteousness, the armor of God, the new creation, and light. Maybe it stood out to me as I recently studied out the Armor of God. Maybe it was that putting something on takes an intentional effort, and I know that is something God has been speaking to me about. I started thinking about other Scriptures where we are told to “put on” various things. I decided to study it out.

Put On– Strong’s G1746 – endyō– to sink into (clothing), put on, clothe one’s self

“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”” I Corinthians‬ ‭15:53-54‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” Colossians‬ ‭3:12-14‬ ‭‬‬

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians‬ ‭3:27‬ ‭‬‬

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭13:12-14‬ ‭‬‬

“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 ‭4:23-24‬ ‭‬‬

“and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭‬‬

We have to choose daily the clothes that we put on. I know I have left home without my coat before and regretted my decision. I am quickly learning that based on elevation, I can leave in shorts and need a winter coat when I reach the top of the mountain. I have to be intentional, I have to be prepared for what I might be walking into.

It is no different as Christians. We also have to chose to put on Christ and the things that help us to show Him to the world around us. We have to be intentionally prepared for what we are walking into, and most of the time we have no clue the spiritual warfare we are walking into as our day begins. We have to be intentional to put on the things of God as our day starts. We have to make sure that we don’t shed them for our flesh’s convenience as the day goes on. Some days we may need to put things on again and again so that we can walk not in our flesh but in the Spirt.

Prayer – Lord, I know sometimes I take off what You tell me to put on. Kindness, humility, long suffering, forgiveness, love, I admit sometimes I let my flesh strip off these things that You have called me to put on. I thank You for Your forgiveness and grace, but also know Lord, I want to do better. I want to stay clothed in Christ. I want my life to reflect You on every level, at every place, to everyone. I know I can’t do that on my own, but a I know Your grace empowers me to do what I cannot on my own. I surrender this to You, Lord. Help to to be intentional with what I put on, and to keep it on!