SCRIPTURE:
26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Galatians 3:26-27
OBSERVATION:
When I was in High School, I remember obsessing about the clothes I wore. I studied the outfits of the “cool kids” as much as I studied for exams so that I could emulate their clothing choices as best as I could. I wanted to dress like them. Why? Because I was aware of the fact that the clothes you choose to put on communicate something about you and the group you belong to.
In his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul speaks on this concept. He writes “all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ,” comparing Christ to our clothing (Galatians 3:27). Why would he do this? Because:
- Clothes are chosen.
In the same way we choose clothes, we must also choose Christ. Why? Because as humans, Christ is not our default. We choose to clothe ourselves with pride, comparison, fear, despair, and even our past. And while these garments indeed cover us up, they don’t clothe us. They don’t give us the protection and dignity we truly seek. As Isaiah writes, when we choose God, He gives us “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:3). We must choose to clothe ourselves with Christ, for the lack of an intentional choice for Christ is a default win for the enemy.
- Clothes are put on.
Simply choosing clothes is not sufficient; we must also put them on. For if we don’t put them on, we remain naked, vulnerable, and unprotected. We must put on the identity of Christ. We must pick up our cross daily, follow Him, and actually live out our faith. Belief in Christ is insufficient; we must put our faith in action. Why? Because “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17).
- Clothes communicate identity.
The old saying goes “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Why do we have to be told this? Because we judge books by their covers. In the same way, we judge people by their clothes because our mind makes automatic judgments about people––who they are, what they care about, what kind of character they possess––based on what they’re wearing. And regardless of whether or not this practice is right, it is undeniably reflexive. We do it naturally because what we clothe ourselves with communicates our identity. As followers of Christ, we must watch what we wear, for what we wear communicates who we are.
APPLICATION:
What clothes are you wearing today? What outfit have you put on for others to see? As you choose your clothes for the day, remember…
Clothes are chosen.
What clothes have you chosen to wear today? What clothes have you chosen to bypass? What clothes no longer fit you? Choose to clothe yourself with Christ.
Clothes are put on.
What have you put on today? And more importantly, what do you need to take off before you redress yourself? It’s not a season for layers––all you need is Christ. Don’t leave Christ on your dresser drawer. Put on Christ, His identity, and His purpose for your life.
Clothes communicate identity.
What identity are you communicating about yourself? And what identity are you communicating about Christ? Can people tell that you believe in God based on the clothes you’ve chosen to wear? And especially if people know you are a Christian––are you representing Christ with accuracy, dignity, and integrity, or are you giving people more reasons not to believe in Him? Communicate the identity Christ has given you through the clothes you wear.
As Paul urges in Colossians 3:12, “as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” You are called to clothe yourself with Christ. Today, stop trying to dress like the “cool kids.” Choose to clothe yourself with Christ. Take off the things that don’t reflect Him, throw away the clothes that no longer fit you, and put on garments of praise. And when you do, walk boldly in the identity God has given you as His child, whom He dearly loves, so that those around you will choose to start dressing like you.
PRAYER:
Jesus,
Thank You for the privilege of getting to clothe myself with you. Today, I take off anything that is not of You and I choose to clothe myself with You. I put on the compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience that You have given me, and I walk in the confidence, calling, and identity You have given me. I love You, Lord. Thank You for loving me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
