Posted on

What are you wearing? Part Two

This verse talks about “putting on” the Lord Jesus Christ. My mentor, John, used to talk about how he was “zipped up in Christ like a big snowsuit.”

I used to laugh when he’d say that, because my imagination would picture John pulling on his Jesus snowsuit everyday before heading out of his house. But the example made a lot of sense…just as a snowsuit protects us from the snowy elements of winter, being “in Christ” keeps us protected from the dirty sins of society.

What are some of those sins? Let’s back up to Romans 13:13 which says this…

Paul says we should “behave decently, as in the daytime.” Isn’t it amazing how the darkness of night encourages so much immorality and sinful behavior?

Bars, clubs, casinos, and liquor stores do most of their business at night…which leads to all of those fleshly sins that Paul mentioned. And sadly, so many horrible consequences come from those nightly sins: bar fights, injuries, adultery, insults, financial ruin, theft, crime, drunken auto accidents, and death.

The last time I ever darkened the door of a bar at night, every single sin of Romans 13:13 was alive and well…and I’ve seen first hand the terrible consequences of engaging in that lifestyle. You’ll never see me with another drink in my hand, and nobody will ever sell me that it’s “just harmless fun.”

“Putting on Jesus Christ” gives a barrier between us and sin…and Paul implies that we ought to remember how tempting sin can be. Wouldn’t it be nice if every “no” to specific sin meant that it would never knock on our door again?

Instead, we have to battle everyday to say “no” to our flesh, giving it no power, no voice, and no control. That can be hard, but putting on Christ is the first step toward daily victory. When we walk like Christ, talk like Christ, and act like Christ, we avoid the shame that comes with fleshly living…and we also avoid those terrible consequences of sin.

12 thoughts on “What are you wearing? Part Two”

  1. Right on, brother Eric! The Christian life must be lived on purpose for a purpose. We don’t “drift” into Christ-likeness—all accidental like.
    We’re either growing into a deeper fellowship with God or we are not. There’s no middle ground and no autopilot when it comes to walking in holiness with God.
    Brother, this will preach!

    Now, those of us down south need an alternative to the zipped up in a snow suit with Jesus. Snow suits and are not standard issue in Southwest Oklahoma.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Thanks for those encouraging words, brother David…I’ve been racking my brain and so can’t think of any matter of full suit that is “suitable” for the southwest! What to do! I suppose the tried and true Ephesians 6 armor of God will have to do the trick. 😉😆

      Like

      Reply

  2. The battle against our flesh is a constant one, more like a never ending war of attrition for our soul. I like the idea of putting on Jesus everyday against the devil our enemy and his gremlins. Rather than a snowsuit our Lord could be our “Daily Armour” Eric, a Heavenly bullet proof vest?! God bless and protect you today brother 🙏

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

      1. That’s true, also Heather…When I’m walking in His armor I feel the confidence and assurance that only He can provide…much like a precious swaddled child safe in Mama’s arms! Safe and secure in the Son of God…nothing compares to that!👍🏻🙏

        Like

  3. I like the analogy of putting on a snowsuit. It also reminds me of my granddaughter’s sleep sac. She is 10 months old, but when she was just a newborn she couldn’t sleep unless she was swaddled tightly. That gave her a sense of comfort, like sleeping in a hug. Now that she’s older, my daughter still zips her up in a sleep sac so she can sense that it’s sleep time and still feel that hug of comfort.

    What if wearing God like a snowsuit or sleep sac not only protects us from the world, but gives us comfort like God’s is hugging us as we navigate the dark world around us?

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. EXCELLENT POINT! God designed us to recharge our batteries at night, not further drain them with riotous living. I’ve never seen somebody hungover come bounding into work after drinking all night saying, “I feel great! Better than ever!”

      No, the devil wrecks a lot of things keeping people up and rowdy at night…including a lack of sleep and sweet rest. Have a blessed day, Nancy!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment