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THE LIVING WORD
THE LIVING WORD
THE LIVING WORD
Campus Drive Community Church
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Our Current Food for Thought:
       DRESSED FOR SUCCESS, THE REQUIRED WARDROBE OF A BELIEVER
      Romans 3:14

According to the Word, and according the character of a true Christian, we are to clothe ourselves in a specific manner.

FORUM QUESTION:
What are you wearing right now (spiritual attire); how are you clothed on a day-to-day basis?

We'd love to hear from you!

The Message
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Date Message
2/9/2012 Dressed for Success, the Required Wardrobe of a Believer
    … put on (clothe yourselves with) the Lord Jesus Christ.
    [Romans 13:14]
As I read this scripture, I think of my childhood and our annual “back to school” shopping expeditions.   At that time in my life I was always satisfied with the cutesy style of clothes that my mother bought me.   But there was a point in my life when I took a turn and became more concerned about my appearance and conforming to the styles of my peers, those whom I respected the most in my life.   The styles would change with the seasons, and the years, and even the decades; but in order to gain acceptance, and for yes for personal satisfaction, I would strive to maintain the dress of the times, sometimes futilely attempting to be a trendsetter.
    … put on (clothe yourselves with) the Lord Jesus Christ.
So then we ask ourselves, what's so important about this “putting on”?   There are days when I leave the house and just run down the street for a few minutes.   So, I simply throw on anything that is readily available.   No one will see me (hopefully)!   But then when I go to work, or church, or plan for a special occasion, my dress is of the utmost importance.   That’s the time to “dress for success” or “to dress to impress”.   Apparently Paul could easily relate to our times as he, on several occasions in his writings, instructed us through the analogy of “to putting on” the Lord Jesus Christ.   He was speaking of a lifestyle and a quality of life that is to be exhibited by a person.

To Put On, To Clothe:   To bear upon one’s self, as an attitude, personality or characteristic; to cover one with authority or power; to have or exhibit an aspect or manner.

As a child matures and leaves behind the baby-like styles of his/her childhood, and even later as he or she matures to the next stage leaving behind the juvenile styles of their teens, so it is with the life and character of a Christian.

In reading the entire verse we can see that Paul wants no confusion in his message as he, in contrast, tells us what is not acceptable behavior:
    But put on (clothe yourselves with) the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for (do not indulge in) the flesh to (gratify it's) desires (lusts).  [Romans 13:14]

The flesh (Greek: sarx), in references such as this, refers to the sinful state of man, often presented as feelings or decisions in opposition to the Holy Spirit.   We are to put a stop to thinking about the sinful desires and indulges of the worldly man and instead live and walk according to the Word of God, according to the Holy Spirit.
    Let us walk (behave) properly, as in the day, not in revelry (carousing) and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust (sexual immorality), not in strife and envy.  [Romans 13:13]

Our New Apparel – for our new nature

In Paul’s letters to the Colossians, his goal is to show the need for Christ to be first in the life of the Christian.   Christ is to rule in our hearts and is to have first priority in every area of their life.   Our clothing (or rather our spiritual appearance) is to reflect this new nature.
    [Colossians 3:12-17]
    Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
  • put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another,
  • If anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
  • But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
  • And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
  • Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
  • And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Our special covering is "so important" that Isaiah compares it to the fabulous adornment of bride and the impressive decking of bridegroom.   What a blessing to be fitted in a manner such as this!
    [Isaiah 6:10]
    For he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Clean Out Your Closets -- we are to put off the old man and put on the new ...
Any man in Christ is a new creature (new creation).   We must therefore finish our wardrobe by removing the clothing items that we no longer have need of; the clothing that no longer suits our new spiritual lifestyle.

[Colossians 3:8-9]
But now you yourselves are to put off all these:
          anger, wrath (rage), malice (bad feelings toward others), blasphemy (cursing and
          slander), filthy language out of your mouth.
Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man (your old self) with his deeds, and have put on (clothed yourself instead with) the new man (spiritual nature) who is renewed (remolded) in knowledge according to the image (the likeness) of Him who created him.

The Spirit vs. the Flesh – More clothing to remove from your wardrobe

[Ephesians 4:22-25]
...that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man (your old self) which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts (desires), and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore, putting away (rejecting, removing) lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another ...
 [continue your reading through verse 32]

Battle Gear – The Clothing for Spiritual Warfare
As new creature of God, we know there will be trials and tribulations.   We also know there will be many attacks of the enemy.   Your spiritual armor will prepare you for battle and for the difficult days to come.

          [Ephesians 6:11-17]
          Put on the “whole armour” of God … that you may be able to stand against (go to
          battle and have victory over) the wiles of the devil!
                    ... the breastplate of righteousness
                    ... your feed shod with (shoes) with the preparation of the gospel of peace
                    ... above all, the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench (get rid of)                           all the firery darts (attacks) of the wicked
                    ... the helmet of salvation
                    ... the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

          [Isaiah 61:3]
          …to give unto them the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness

How to Check Your Attire
It is clear Paul is speaking of the ways of Christ when referring to the clothing that we are to “put on”.   We know that we are dressed for success when we are a reflection of His Christ-like nature.   Check your wardrobe regularly; always be sure you are clothed in Christ.

[Colossians 3:1-2]
If then you were raised with Christ,
          Seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
          Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

And Our reward is:
... your life is hidden with Christ in God (you've changed and Christ is now visible in you).

When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. [Colossians 3:3-4]

for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. [ James 1:12]

Words of Encouragement
This is how we learn from and endure our trials and tribulations.   This is how we obtain that joy and total peace the Word speaks of.   This is how we are able to retain the love of Christ.
This is how we strive to become more like Him.

It’s time to clean out our closets and adjust our wardrobes.   I can think of a few changes that I need to make in my spiritual attire.   How about you?

[Feel free to share your thoughts]

[ Respond ]
 
VIEWER RESPONSES   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -     [ Respond ]
2/13/2012 Brand New Me
WOW!   Thank you for the strong words of wisdom and encouragement.   I have clothes in my closet that, I am happy to say, no longer fit and no longer appeal to me.   IT'S TIME FOR MY NEW WARDROBE!

May God bless you in your ministry!
 
 



THE LIVING WORD
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
     [ Hebrews 4:12 ]

CAMPUS DRIVE COMMUNITY CHURCH
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