PUT ON YOUR NEW CLOTHES

Look at the word « enduo » The greek word translated « put on »

Its meaning came from « en » meaning « in » and « duo » to enter or sink or plunge into.

Here enduo came to mean « to put on or wear »

As itw as used in context with clothes

Mar 15:17

And they clothed(enduo) him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,

Now after the gift of Christ or the Holy Ghost on Pentecost we are supposed to put on Christ adn take off the old man and his habits.

Rom 13:12

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

He is the Light of the world, but we must put it on. And it is armor because the darkness will try to steal it. So we must cast off those works and receive more grace.

Rom 13:14

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

It is like a poor beggar used to living in rags is given a new gift. What does he want to do when some one comes along and gives them a brand new clean and attactive set of clothes?

Does he dawdle and say i think i like my rags better because they are so comfortable and dirty? Perhaps. But it the beggar would better to get rid of the old rages full of lice and bugs and clean up and dress up in his gift of grace.

in John 4 the gift of God was the living waters of the holy spirit

in Acts 2 :38 it is « receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. »

Rom 5 :16 it is called « free gift is of many offences unto justification. »

Rom 5 :18 « free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. »

Rom 6 :23 « but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. »

2Co 9:15 « Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. »

Eph 2 :8 even our saving  faith is a gift

Eph 4:7 Christ is our gift,. We did nothing to deserve this gift or it would have not been a gift but a wage.

« But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. »

We have received a gift for free!  So we have « the Gift of God » which is « faith » which is « grace » which is « the holy spirit »  « which is Christ »

On the day of Pentecost and from that day onward we have been given everything because Christ sent Himself to live in our lives by this « unspeakable gift » of « Christ in you » or « the Holy spirit »

So now it is up to us to wear the new suit of Light and put on Christ into our minds and action. But even if we do not put it on we never lose it. It was a gift of grace.

But would it not be sad for the beggar to decide to keep his lousy rags because he though he was not good enough? Even when God had given him pardon,  a new reason to live, a new profession and a suit to do it? That would be sad for the beggar and all those he could have helped.  We must put on Christ He will not do that for us. We have Christ so lets put Him on!

Let us wear Christ on the surface do all may see His light and not hide it under a pile of rags!

Eph 4:22

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Eph 4:24

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

God has given us all this gift of Christ, He will not put it on us. When we get out of the diaper stage our parents taught us how to do it ourselves. If we read Ephesians 4 that is exactly what God is encouraging us to do

Eph 4:23

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

When we received the Gift of the holy spirit or Christ we were made perfect. But that part is the spirit. The mind and habits must grow up and mature. It is a process with putting on what is on the inside (Christ) on the outer man where people see you. A bunch of rags of lust or bitteness will not attract people to the light. So let us keeping putting on Christ in our minds

Eph 4:25

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Hey beggars you have the unspeakable gift so what do you want to do? Hang on to the rags of the old man that lies and hurts or put on Christs new suit?

And since we are in a world of darkness that would convince us it is better to keep the rags of the world than the royal robe of Christ we have a battle. It is a daily battle until we meet Christ face to face. So God lovingly prepared His children to stand against this darkness by putting on this armor of light as our protection.

It is not easy but life is a struggle to keep the ground God gave us. There is a prince of darkness, but he must flee as soon as we put on the armor of Light. Here in Ephesian 6 God explains ijn detail how this armor that we should put on works,

Eph 6:10

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

This is real and we need strength in the battle. We are secure but we may not appear like it. Beggars have trouble winning others for the Kingdom if they do not put on their royal robes and become  ambassadors for this Kingdom.

We are hear not to fight for our salvation. That is wear a lot of Christians taught works by religion stumble and fall. No they cannot lose their Eternal life or security with God, but they may think they are lost even when they are secure. The fight is for winning others and thinking of others because you know you are OK.  You keep on that breast plate of righteousness in this battle. And we keep this truth as our center of gravity and our balance. The Truth is what holds us together and there is only one Truth….His name is Jesus. He is the whole armor of GOD!

Eph 6:11

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Eph 6:13

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

We need to stand in this battle not for our selves! We are secure in His arms forever. But why do we not want to share with others? We have it.  This beggar is given a new profession. It is to be ambassadors for a new Kingdom, the Kingdom of Christ!

So we should have the purpose of standing and winning others. Love to all men not bitterness of war. Our challenge is not to fight unbelieving nations to protect our or any evil person. Our challenge is to let God put Jesus and His love into our minds and habits. Our battle with the devil is not with other people. It is with our own rags. Our own habits we wore all our life and become renewed in our thinking. And it is a battle that the demons will challenge, but God will help you grow in grace.

Eph 6:15

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Our challenge is to get out of protecting ourselves and fight for all the lost. Bringing peace and love to those who hate you is a challenge.  But Jesus knows all about that and He won! He is in you to show you how in ever situation.

Eph 6:16

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

When we are challenged to get angry take that rag off and put on love. When we are challenged to be bitter through that lousy diaper in the garbage and put on forgiveness because He forgave you.

But in the heat of this battle every day it is up to up to keep our outside clean as the inside. God did his part but he cannot control you mind. We must give it to Him to work on. We must make it a habit to put on Christ every day by renewing our wardrobe with the words of God and prayer. Prayer and conversation by way of the spirit He put in us. We have to be talking with God every day so we know what He wants us to put on for every new day. Then we can shine and win others with love.

Eph 6:18

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Rom 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.