Aug 31 – Put On the New Man!

“…that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

If you desire to be clothed with God’s power, you must first put on the new man. Only then will you be able to rise up and serve the Lord. The old man is corrupted by deceitful lusts, whereas the new man is created according to righteousness (Eph. 4:22). It is the Lord Himself who creates this new inner man within a person.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Cast away the old rags from your life and be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. When the Lord called blind Bartimaeus, he immediately threw aside the garment he had been wearing. In effect, he was saying, “I no longer want Adam’s garment. I no longer want the old sinful nature. My own righteousness is nothing but filthy rags. The garment of salvation that the Lord gives is sufficient for me.” With that faith, he went to Christ.

When the prodigal son repented and returned to his father, his filthy garments were taken away, and he was clothed with the best robe (Luke 15:22). Unless you first put off the garments that must be discarded, you cannot put on the new spiritual garments that God desires to give you.

After Adam and Eve lost the glory of God, they clothed themselves with garments made of fig leaves. But the Lord made garments of skin for them. In the same way, Jesus was crucified so that you might be clothed with spiritual garments. You now belong to the family of God. You are children of the King of kings and heirs of His Kingdom. The Lord is concerned about your garments; He desires to clothe you with glorious spiritual attire.

The Lord who says, “Awake, awake, O Zion,” also commands, “Put on your beautiful garments.” The most glorious spiritual garment of all is Christ Himself. Therefore, put on Christ. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). The Bible also exhorts us:

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:14) To put on Christ is to put on His character and His nature. You must be clothed with all His virtues – His mercy, compassion, kindness, tender-heartedness, love, joy, and holiness.

Jesus demonstrated true humility by washing the feet of His disciples. He also humbled Himself by coming to John to be baptized. Do you possess that same humility?

Verse for further meditation: “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban.” (Job 29:14)