April 4, 2023 – Reflections on “What Shall We Put On?”

“Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6:25-29.

         We live in the age of wearing shredded jeans. The trends come and go. I remember short skirts, long skirts, and thinking the brand names are what we should wear. Since I grew up during the depression of the 30s, my brand remained ‘homemade’. I still remember Mother writing me a note, when the chair in my room counted down the order of the days of the week… and I could wear Tuesday’s dress on Friday, too. She wanted me to hang up my clothes in between.

There is spiritual clothing of righteousness, our souls put on. This spiritual clothing is not to be removed. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus, you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:25-27.

         Our actions become the desires of our heart. We choose between our earthly desires and God’s desires that He offers. Since this world and everything in it was created by the Lord God, including each of us, His Will should become our will.

        The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:12-14.

         “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:9-13.

         Jesus was tempted by the devil with power, and with food when He was hungry. This is how Jesus answered, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “’You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.’”

         “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2. It is when we come to this realization, we understand following God’s commands is pleasing to Him. This is the beginning of the believing and trusting that leads to living by Faith in God and His Son, Jesus.

    We are in spiritual warfare. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, saving put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18.

         This is how we dress our heart and mind to be ready for living. Our enemy is not flesh and blood. God’s will prevails. The ending will be: Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. Ephesians 6:23-24.

        Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14.

         What we put on is not the latest fashion on the outward but to adorn our spirit with the Love of God that brings, Joy and Peace, plus the other attributes that come from giving our heart, soul, and mind to Him. Taking the next step in Faith begins our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.

         “I am who I am because the I Am tells me who I am!” He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11.