Speaking the Truth in Love
Put Off, Put On
Uniforms are very important to ball teams. This is especially true for those who compete directly with opposing players like in the sports of football and basketball. The uniform tells everyone the team you are on. If you were to change teams, you would have to take off (or put off) the uniform of the team you were leaving and put on the uniform of your new team. In a spiritual sense, when we are on Satan’s team, we are in the uniform that blends in with the world. While in that uniform we act and behave as a child of Satan. When we put on Christ, we change our uniform. We are in a spiritual battle. Soldiers are known by the uniforms they wear. When we become a Christian we put on the pure and clean garments of Jesus and we try to act and behave like Him. I want to look at some passages that talk about this idea of putting off and putting on.
Romans 13:12-14 – Put off deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. This is the uniform of a Christian soldier.
Ephesians 4:20-32 – Put off the old man or old self and put on the new man or new self.
Ephesians 6:10-18 – The uniform of Jesus is like putting on spiritual armor so you are you ready for battle with sin and Satan. Let us not confuse this battle with one to annihilate our fellow man. This battle is one to overcome sin and to save those who are lost. Not to destroy them (Luke 9:51-56).
Colossians 3:1-17 – Put off earthly pleasures and put on the love and peace of Christ.
Additional Passages:
Galatians 5:16-26 – Walking in the Spirit versus walking in the flesh.
1 John 1:1-2:11 – Walking in the Light versus walking in Darkness.
2 Timothy 3 – Paul warns Timothy of the sins of that will come and the antidote for those times.
CLOSE
Galatians 3:26-29 tells how we become a Christian and put on Christ. Have you put on Christ? What uniform are you wearing tonight? Is it the uniform of Satan’s army or is it the uniform of a soldier of Jesus Christ? Why are you waiting? God wants us all to put on His Son. Baptism is how we can have our sins washed away and become a Christian. One who has put on Christ! This is also the only way we can have a hope of Heaven! Only those who have put on Christ will be able to live with Him forever.
Faithful Christians one day will put off our earthly tent (2 Peter 1:14) and put on a glorious immortal body (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). If Jesus were to come back today, would you be able to say, “Jesus, I have been living my life for you!” Will He welcome you into Heaven or will He reject you? Why not put off the old life of sin and put on the life of Jesus that leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14)? Please consider this in your own life and respond to the gospel call before it is too late. We hope to see you next time on "Speaking The Truth In Love"!
