But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Romans 13:14)

Clothing Self With Jesus Christ

The purpose of clothing did not become necessary until after the fall of man. When God placed Adam and Eve in the garden, they were naked and unashamed. The first reaction when their eyes were open was that they were naked, and they became afraid. In a futile attempt to hide their nakedness, they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves, but it was of little use. Before expelling them from the garden, the Lord clothed them in animal skins. The imagery is striking. Clothing became a part of the curse as sin was revealed, and the sacrifice of an animal was required to clothe Adam and Eve.

Sin bears the heart naked before God. All the feeble attempts of man to cover his nakedness fall short of the glory of God. Adam and Eve could not clothe themselves to stand before the Lord. God demanded a sacrifice to clothe His creation, and that became the spiritual theme of God’s relationship with man. As man stands naked before God, condemned and ashamed, there is nothing man can do to clothe himself. The Gentiles could not save themselves (as a law to themselves), and the Jews proved that man could not live holy by keeping the Law. Jesus lived the Law in perfection, showing the pattern of righteous clothing that can only come from the grace of God.

Paul told the Roman saints to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” to imbibe in the principles of righteousness found in the Son of God. Righteousness comes from imitating the character of Jesus. Obedience is necessary to show one’s heart to the word of God and become like Jesus. Life becomes a pattern of clothing oneself with the teachings of the Holy Spirit without making provisions for the flesh. Satan desires men to remove the clothing of righteousness and believe there is glory in being unclothed before God. In the physical world, it is shameful to expose the body to nakedness. Fulfilling the lusts of the flesh (nakedness) will bring shame and the wrath of God.

Jesus clothed Himself with the glory of the Father. Everything He did was to show the blessings of His Father and His word. Walking in the footsteps of Jesus is putting on the garments of righteousness, showing the world how to put on the character of Christ without fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. Paul told the Ephesians saints to put on the whole armor of God to resist the darts of the evil one. Without the proper protection (clothing), the soldier would die quickly in battle. Going up against the wicked one without clothing (armor) would be certain defeat.

Clothing the heart with the word of God is to remove the deeds of the flesh and put on the shining armor of light or right living. People of God belong to the day who stand against evil with the proper clothing that will prepare them for battle. The character clothing of the Christian is not found in the lusts of the flesh. People of God wear the garments of righteousness. They are easily identified in a world naked of truth, righteousness, and holiness. Sin can only be covered through the will of the Lord and worn according to His design. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not clothe oneself with the provisions of the flesh. Dress in the robes of eternal life through Jesus Christ.