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