As Christians, we would never think to leave our homes every morning with no clothes on. We regularly put off our night clothes and then dress for the occasion. We spend much time on our physical appearance, but how much time do we spend on dressing up our spirit man in order to face this ungodly world? There is definitely a wardrobe that we are to wear as Christians. We must never leave the house without it.
 
Romans 13:12 tells us - "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness..."
 
"The night is far spent, the day is at hand" - Just as we take off our night clothes at the start of a new day, even so are we to lay aside or put away any "works of darkness" that may be in our lives. We should start each day in reflection and quietness before the Lord, asking Him to reveal anything that is needful to "cast off" - any habits, thought or speech patterns, mannerisms, character traits, or gestures that may be displeasing in His sight. Any hidden areas of sin or deceitful, crafty, hypocritical, beguiling, sneaky, or dishonest ways must be put away. 
 
Romans 13:14 tells us - "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof."
 
After we strip away the night clothes or any "works of darkness," we must immediately dress ourselves, putting on the "works of light" for we are children of Light and not of the Darkness - the day and not of the night.
 
The Scriptures clearly instruct us that we are to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ..."

Among the Greek writers, the terminology of "putting on a person" was very commonly used. It meant that one was to imitate another's example; copy his spirit; take him as one's instructor; follow him as one of his disciples; take him as a pattern and guide; assume his interests, characteristics, and qualities; enter his views; obey his precepts; or simply become just like him.
 
Hence, to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" means that we - as Christians - are to imitate and model  Christ in all of His ways, copy His Spirit, take Him as our guide and instructor, assume His interests and qualities, and enter His views on different matters and issues. In other words, we are to become just like Him. When people see us, they should see Jesus.
 
The following story from the Encyclopedia Of Sermon Illustrations seems to say it all -
 
"An Indian catechist(Bible Teacher) at the end of the last century was dismissed from the church for some misdemeanor. Burdened with shame, knowing he would never again dare to preach, the man left the area and went to some far-off, non-Christian area, where he settled down as a stranger and made his living as a potter. The church never heard of him again, and he died there.
Later it was decided to send a team of evangelists to the distant area. They rented a house and started to tell the stories of Christ. They were amazed when the crowd of villagers responded eagerly, exclaiming, 'We know the man you are talking about; he lived here for years.' 'Oh, no,' said the preacher, 'you don't understand. We are talking about Jesus Christ.' 'Well,' answered the people, 'he never told us his name. But the man you've described was our potter without a doubt.' " - (John Taylor, In Perilous Ways(Seabury), p.77)

Perhaps the reason is because we have forgotten to get dressed in the morning.
We are too much in a hurry to take the time to go before the mirror of God's Word to check and see if we are properly and spiritually dressed.
 
There is a definite attire for the Christian to wear. If we start our day without this attire - which reflects  Christ unto this world - then it is as if we are walking about naked before all. We would never think to do such a thing in the natural, yet many are guilty of doing so every day in the spiritual realm.
 
Resultantly, the Gospel of Jesus Christ suffers. A people who profess to know God are not properly dressed in Christ Jesus and, resultantly, make provision for the flesh by fulfilling its lusts. Testimonies are tainted and the Gospel message is smeared and blasphemed among the heathen.
 
We cannot afford to start our days without getting dressed properly. The Scriptures are very specific on which garbs we must put on - in order to reflect Christ to this ungodly and wicked generation.

Let's examine some of these traits from the Holy Scriptures -
 
1. Compassion
 
Colossians 3:12 - "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies..."
 
As Christians, each day we are to be clothed with compassion. This means that we are very sensitive to the hurts and needs of others. We are to be moved immediately with their misery in this life.
 
Do you start each day this way? Do you leave the house, asking the Lord Jesus to lead you to those who are hurting and in need of a special touch? Are you His hand extended to the oppressed? Or are you too caught up - with your agenda for the day - to even notice someone else's misery and pain? If so, then you are a naked Christian - not fully dressed.
 
2. Kindness
 
Colossians 3:12 - "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved...kindness..."
 
Each day we are to "put on...kindness" towards our friends or all those who love us. We should have the sweetest dispositions - being courteous, considerate, thoughtful, and friendly.
 
If all you could think about is you - you- you; or you always want people to cater to, chase after, or do your bidding; then you are a naked Christian. You are not properly dressed. You don't have all your clothes on.  
 
3. Humility
 
Colossians 3:12 - "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved...humbleness of mind..."
1 Peter 5:5 - "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility..."
 
To be "clothed with humility" denotes a garment that is attached to another with a strip, string, or loop. It refers to the long, white apron or garment that was oftentimes worn by slaves, servants, or shepherds. It was an indication to others that this person is a servant unto others.
 
Before you start your day or get ready to leave the house, do you put on your long, white spiritual apron of humility, indicating that you are a servant unto all? Are you willing to take any place or perform any job in order to help another and - in so doing - honor God? 
 
Or do you think that you are better than most and desire that others wait on you all of the time? Or perhaps you are one who lords it over others and would not think to be a servant to any. Then you are definitely a naked Christian. You are improperly dressed and a shame to the Gospel and to Christ Jesus - Whom you are supposedly exemplifying to this wicked world. 
 
4. Meekness
 
Colossians 3:12 - "Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved...meekness..."
 
"Meekness" is displayed towards those who have hurt, injured, or provoked us. We must remember that each of these qualities exemplifies Christ Jesus. When we "put on the Lord Jesus" each day, then we will have no problem facing our opposers in a Christlike spirit. We will be able to handle other's ill treatment of us with patience and forbearance.
 
Before starting your day, do you "put on...meekness" as one of your spiritual garbs? Knowing that you might have to face that individual who has offended you, are you prepared to treat him with love and respect in spite of his behavior? Are you clothed with "meekness" in case someone surprisingly says something hurtful to you?
 
Or are you a naked Christian who is oftentimes caught off guard and blows up at every one who says the slightest, hurtful thing to you? Do you react or overreact because you are naked and not properly dressed?
 
5. Longsuffering
 
Colossians 3:12 - "Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved... longsuffering."  
 
"Longsuffering" is needed for those who are very difficult to live with or work around. It is needed for those who are very trying and never seem to change or "get the message." Over and over again, they test your patience with their rebellious or stubborn ways.  
 
How about it, O Christian? Do you make sure that you start each day wearing "longsuffering" in order to properly handle those very trying individuals in your midst? Do you treat them as Jesus would? Or do you simply allow them to pull you into the flesh where you react to their ungodly or disgusting mannerisms with carnal means such as anger, sarcasm, cutting comments, or total rejection? If so, then you forgot to put on all of your clothes and, as a result, your spiritual nakedness is showing.
 
6. Love
 
Colossians 3:12,14 - "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved...And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."
 
Lastly, the upper garment - which is the principal and chief one for every Christian - is "love." It is to be worn over all and above all the others. It is likened unto a girdle that binds all the other garments together. In this case, "love" is the spiritual girdle that holds together all of the other graces that exemplify Christ in a Christian's life.
 
At the start of each new day, are you sure that you are wearing "love" as your outer garment? Is the "love of Jesus" the first quality that people notice about you? When others get around you, do they feel that "love" flowing from your heart?
 
Or are you so in love with yourself that you don't have time for anyone else? Do people consider you to be a snob or a self-centered individual? Does your world revolve around you and yours? Is the topic of your conversation "me, myself, and I"? Are you always bragging and boasting about what you possess or have accomplished? Do you carry yourself above others, looking down on those less fortunate? Do you consider yourself above others because of your education, economic status,. race, or position? If so, then you are naked and ought to be ashamed of yourself - as anyone would be - who is walking around naked before all.

What about the story of the Indian catechist? Have we "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" like that brother in Christ did insomuch that - when people meet us, fellowship with us, work around us, or live with us - they feel as though they have been with Jesus?
 
Perhaps we need to check our wardrobe again. Do we have all of the necessary pieces? Are we properly dressing each day? Or are we found naked?

May God Bless His Word.
Connie