The Christian life in a very real sense is a “PUT ON!”
I remember during my days in Middle school which we called Jr. High, that we would sometimes label someone as a “Put On” when it seemed like they were acting superior to others, or acting standoffish. The idiom phrase “put on,” simply stated is a noun to describe “someone who pretends to be something that they are not.” Kids usually do this to be accepted and not face rejection. It’s really tough being a young teen facing peer pressure and dealing with self-esteem and popularity issues. That’s why kids fumble through their teenage years trying to figure out who they really are. I became a believer in Christ as a teenager, and I think that ministry to students is so important.
But for us adults – we do the “PUT ON” thing also, trying to impress others, with our talk, and with our possessions or accomplishments. We try to act like we’re super confident and in charge when we’re really feeling insecure, and dealing with inferiority. I’m no stranger to doing these things! We try to appear to be in control, when everything feels out of control, and it’s not always a bad thing.
The N.T. word for “put on” is the Greek word, “enduo,” (ἐνδύω), which means to clothe oneself, or more literally to be clothed “ like sinking into a garment.” The apostle Paul in this text is telling the Galatian believers that those who have received Christ have been “clothed in Christ.” This is the reality of the Christian life. We’ve been clothed in garments of Christ’s righteousness. It’s what Jesus accomplished for us at the cross, that we might be “endued” with Christ’s righteousness.
Concerning life’s difficulties, we don’t always feel like responding to challenging situations in godly way, and I confess that I sometimes take the easy route of acting with selfishness, irritability, or with some other “fleshly” response. When I do this, I usually end up asking God and others for forgiveness, but it’s God’s desire for you and me is to choose to “put on” Christ as He graces us to respond to others with His love, patience, and humility. “PUTTING ON ” Christ – is to act with the character of Christ, and sometimes we can’t do this in our own strength. It’s in the difficult times we have to ask God to empower us to PUT ON CHRIST.
Among many other scriptures, Colossians 3:12,14 tells us to PUT ON CHRIST in our relationships.
V 12 “PUT ON then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience”
V 14 “And above all these PUT ON love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony”
PUTTING ON CHRIST – is our calling, to act in faith and confidence in God’s Word, to act with kindness towards others, even when we don’t emotionally feel like it.
CONCERNING MISSIONARY MINISTRY: The world is waiting for people who will GO and share the good news of Christ’s love and forgiveness. We need to put this on. If we’re not going, we need to help others to GO and share the message of Christ.
Would you help me? PLEASE – remind me that I need to be a “PUT ON!”
