Robed in the Righteousness of Christ
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13
I was proud of my nephew David when he went overseas to serve as a Marine. A Marine has a uniform. A Marine has equipment. A Marine does not go into a battle zone without his uniform and equipment. Otherwise, he would be easily killed. A Marine has a helmet for a reason. He has a supply belt for a reason. He has ammunition for a reason.
You and I are supposed to go into the battle dressed in the full armor of God every day, realizing that every day we are living in a battle zone. We are surrounded by hostile forces, and our only victory is won as we stand in that which Jesus has provided for us. Therefore, we are told, “…clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.”
My brother John spoke to his congregation of the fact that we are already seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. That’s where our head is. John gave the wonderful illustration that if your head is out of the water, the rest of your body is okay. You are not going to drown with your head above water. Our Head is already seated in glory, and, therefore, we are seated with him. We are connected to the Head. We’ve already arrived in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:5-17
We’re chosen people. He chose us. We are set apart. We belong to him. We are dearly loved. He doesn’t regret his choice. Clothe yourselves. Get dressed with what he’s given you: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
