Galatians 3:27 - Clothed With Christ!
Galatians 3:27: Clothed With Christ!
Galatians 3:27 (NKJV) For as many of you as were baptized into
Christ have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:27 (NIV) for all of you who were baptized into
Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Galatians 3:27 (NLT) And all who have been united with Christ in
baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.
INTRODUCTION
Being baptized into Christ, we are baptized into his death, that
as he died and rose again, so we should die unto sin, and walk in
newness and holiness of life. The putting on of Christ according to the
gospel, consists not in outward imitation, but in a new birth, an entire
change. [Matthew Henry Commentary]
To put on Christ means to adopt His principles, to imitate
His example, to accept His guidance, to become like Him (see on 2
Cor. 5:17) To put on Christ implies putting off self and
the old nature. [SDA Bible Commentary]
When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His
heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His
mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His
life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His
righteousness. COL312
COMMENTARY
The word that is translated "put on" is the same that is used
in regard to puffing on clothes. We have "put on the new man"
(Ephesians 4:24), and the new nature is like a garment that is worn so that
all can see who we are. Paul said that the Christian, when he has
confessed Christ at baptism, has "put on Christ." Just as a man may be
recognized by the garment he wears, so the Christian is known by the fact
that he has put on Christ and exhibits Him in his whole life and
character.
"Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ," not just at conversion,
but also on a daily basis. As I put on my clothes each day and am
seen in them, so the Christian must daily put on the Lord Jesus, so
that he no longer lives to fulfill the lusts of the flesh, but shows
forth the image of his Lord and the new man formed in His likeness.
Put on Christ! This work must be done each day in the inner
chamber. I must put on the Lord, the heavenly Jesus. But I need time to
put on Christ. Just as my garments cover me and protect me from the
wind and the sun, even so Christ Jesus will be my beauty, my defense,
and my joy. As I commune with Him in prayer, He imparts Himself to
me and strengthens me to walk as one who is in Him and is bound to
Him forever.
Reader, take time to meditate on this wonderful truth. Just
as your clothing is a necessity as you go out into the world, let
it be equally indispensable for you to put on Jesus Christ, to
abide in Him, and to walk with Him all day long.
This cannot be done hastily and superficially. It takes time,
quiet time in living fellowship with Jesus, to realize that you have
put Him on. Take the time and the trouble. Your reward will be
great. [Andrew Murray 365-Day Devotional Bible by Barbour]
I have often been asked by young Christians: "Why is it that I
fail so? I did so solemnly vow with my whole heart, and did desire to
serve God; why have I failed?" To such I always give the one answer:
"My dear friend, you are trying to do in your own strength what
Christ alone can do in you." And when they tell me: I am sure I knew
Christ alone could do it, I was not trusting in myself," my answer
always is: "You were trusting in yourself or you could not have failed.
If you had trusted Christ, He could not have failed." Oh, this
perfecting in the flesh what was begun in the Spirit runs far deeper
through us than we knew. Let us ask God to reveal to us that it is only
when we are brought to utter shame and emptiness that we shall be
prepared to receive the blessing that comes from on high.... I ask it of
every member of Christ's church and of every believer: Are you living
a life under the power of the Holy Spirit day by day, or are you
attempting to live without that? Remember you cannot. Are you consecrated,
given up to the Spirit to work and live in you? Oh, come and confess
every failure of temper, every failure of the tongue however small,
every failure owing to the absence of the Holy Spirit and the presence
of the power of self. (From "Having Begun in the Spirit" by Andrew
Murray in They Walked with God) [Inspirational SB]
How Do I Have a Quiet Time?
Im a new Christian who is trying to figure out how to grow
closer to God. Friends tell me I need to have a quiet time with God
each day, but I cant figure out exactly what to do?
Denalyn and I like to go to the same restaurants over and
over again. You could call our dates predictable, but for us they are
special. We like the food. We like the servers. We like the atmosphere.
When were there, we remember special moments weve shared
before. Our hearts open up we lose track of time because were
comfortable in that place. We talk to each other, listen to each other,
laugh, and cry. I love those times!
A quiet time with God is very similar to a date. Here are
some tools to help you keep your very special date with God.
Decide on a regular time and place. Select a slot in your
schedule and a corner of your world, and claim it for God. A familiar
place will remind you of similar feelings you experienced before with
God. You need to get comfortable.
How much time should you take? As much as you need. Value
quality over quantity. Your time with God should last long enough for
you to say what you want and for God to say what he wants.
You should bring on your date an open Bible - Gods Word,
his love letter to you. You wont necessarily hear God speak out
loud, but you can hear what he has to say through his eternal dialogue
with humanity.
You also need a listening heart. Dont forget the
admonition from James: The man who looks into the perfect mirror of
Gods law, the law of liberty, and makes a habit of so doing, is not
the man who sees and forgets. He puts that law into practice and he
wins true happiness (James 1:25 Phillips). Listen to the lover of
your soul. Dont just nod your head, pretending to hear. Your date
knows when youre engaged.
So does God. Just as you wouldnt miss your date with a
loved one, claiming you were too busy, make sure your date with God is
on the calendar, and do everything in your power to keep it
special. [Max Lucado Daily Devotional at maxlucado.com]
ILLUSTRATION
My wife and I have developed a system for doing our laundry.
We start by gathering up all the dirty clothes and placing them in
stacks in the laundry room. Whites go with whites, darks go with darks,
some need to be washed in cold water, some need hot water, and so on.
But one thing we don't do is put on any of that dirty laundry before
it goes through the cleaning process. Why would we, when we can
wear clean, fresh items right out of the dryer?
That got me to thinking about how we have been washed white
as snow (Isaiah 1:18). Why would I consider clothing myself in any
of those old, filthy habits and behaviors I used to wear when I can
wear those that God has washed clean and spotless? I can't imagine
how uncomfortable it would be to wear a stained, sweat-soaked shirt,
when I have plenty of clean ones hanging in the closet. And I can't
imagine wearing old, dirty behaviors and ways of thinking when God has
helped me replace them with fresh, clean behaviors and plenty of
wonderful thoughts.
That's it for me. No putting on dirty clothes, not for me,
not ever!
Lord God, thank you for clean, spotless garments, every one
of them washed in your perfect cleansing blood. In Jesus' name,
Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily Devotional by John & Johnny Baker]
CLOSING THOUGHT
There Are Two Freedoms:
False Freedom: where a man is free to do what he likes.
True Freedom: where a man is free to do what he ought.
Charles Kingsley
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
