...put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:24
And yep, you knew it…now we need to put on the ‘New Man’. The goal is walk in Christ, like we would put on clothes, staying focused on what He has done, what He represents, and what He provided for us. We need to live with others with a realization and recognition that bearing Christ’s name means living in a certain way. This alignment and allegiance with Christ as well as a right view of ourselves, causes us to respond in ways pleasing to Him.
Paul is calling us to live in a way that is authentic and honors God. It is founded in all God has provided in Christ. Whatever we lacked to be able to honor God before coming into Christ is now resolved in what God has provided through him. Romans 13:14, with its call to put on Christ, makes a similar point.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Romans 13:14 [ESV]
Application:
This is daily decision…actually, every moment. Many people in our society today are passionate about fashion. There is a reason for this. What you wear impacts how you carry yourself and can even influence your confidence; it can even put you in the posture the clothes inspire to do, like exercising. This is what wearing Christ (the New Man in me and I in Him) should do to my daily walk. Everything I do should be approached with a reminder of the clothes I chosen to wear. The Ephesians 6 talks about the clothes and what each means piece means.
Today’s Psalm:
In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
Psalms 37:10-11 [ESV]
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.