“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:27
“and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Ephesians 4:24
One of the analogies the apostle Paul uses to refer to Kingdom living is the idea of “wearing Christ.” Paul admonishes us to “put on our new self” and says that we have been “clothed with Christ.” This picture highlights a distinction that is worth understanding.
I’m referring to the distinction between Christ ‘IN’ us and being ‘IN’ Christ. Scripture indicates that when we receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, He takes up residence within us. The Holy Spirit of Jesus indwells us and works to sanctify us; changing us, as we go, into the likeness of Jesus. Whenever scripture refers to Christ ‘in’ us, it is referring to an automatic reality.
However, Paul also admonishes us to “put on the new self” which suggests that there is action we are to take which is not automatic in our relationship with Jesus. If we combine the imagery that Paul uses of “putting on our new selves” with “putting on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12) and “the armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11), we see that Paul is telling us that we are to actively clothe ourselves with kingdom reality.
The imagery Paul uses reminds me of Iron Man’s suit (if you don’t know who Iron Man is, he is a Marvel comic book character). When a normal person puts on the suit, they have access to a voice that gives guidance and important Information. The suit also provides the ability to do what would normally be impossible to do. When we put on our new selves in Christ, we have access to the Holy Spirit who gives guidance and important information. He also empowers us to do what would normally be impossible to do.
If there is one thing that has become clear as I’ve represented P.I. in the nations, it is that if I don’t have the supernatural power of God working through me, nothing gets done. I have made the choice over and over to “put on the suit”. And that is my challenge to you. Join me, every day, and make the choice to wear the suit!
