PUT ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!
AUGUST
But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. (Rom 13:14 AKJV)
In the past, one salient characteristic that is overtly emphasized to everyone going through pastoral training is dressing. Even if it was one or two suits they had, they were encouraged to wash and iron them properly. It was a prerequisite for every trainee pastor to have an iron; even if it was a charcoal iron. Hardly would you see any trained pastor without a suit, always well ironed. The reason may not be farfetched; there is an injunction – dress the way you want to be addressed.
Before the verse stated above, the Apostle Paul gave an admonition in the previous verse: “We have to do things that are right and good and honest, like the things people do in the day-light.....” (Romans 13:14 PEV)
The first line of that admonition placed a demand on us to be honest. It is like the clothes we put on. We cannot claim to be Christians and yet indulge in any other garment than Jesus. The garments of dishonesty we were wearing proudly before we became members of God’s family are no longer valid. They were okay in the past but not anymore. They don’t resemble Christ and don’t give glory to GOD!
Then, what does it mean to put on the Lord Jesus Christ? It means wherever and whenever you appear, your presence should epitomise the personality of Jesus.
Imagine the personality of Jesus: He was known as the Light that darkness could not comprehend; He did not strive for recognition, yet, His works showcased Him as the true representative of the Almighty God. Demons could not stand His presence because He was anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power, etc. This is the personality that you are admonished to put on. But is it possible? Yes, absolutely. If it wasn’t possible, we would not be admonished to do so. But, it requires a conscious effort.
As pastors in those days were trained to be conscious of their appearance, putting on the garments to reveal their identity, so you and I must do. Without any apology to anyone, we must consciously Put On The Lord Jesus Christ as an inseparable garment. May the LORD empower and bless you mightily as you do so. AMEN!
Experiencing the TRUE GOD.
