Romans 13:13-14 (NIV) Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

There are things that as believers, should not have to be mentioned among us. The things mentioned in the first part of the scripture passage above are things that may have been part of who we were before we came to know Christ as our Lord and Savior. Obviously, we need to move far away from those things if it is that we were serious when we surrendered our lives to Jesus. We are not the same anymore, but have been washed, justified and sanctified. But the question remains, do we have the right clothes on?

It’s a good thing to turn away from sin and to get involved in doing the things that lead to spiritual growth and to spreading the good news about Jesus, but we can actually do those things while still not wearing the right clothes. But what does it mean and how do you “clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ?” It begins by making Him the priority in your life. More than anything or anyone, Jesus has to be first in your life. You begin to make that happen by staying in constant communion with Him (praying without ceasing). That means more than just reciting a prayer before you head out into your day. I’m talking about setting aside a time for you to really spend time talking with Him, pouring out your heart and letting Him know what is on your mind that is concerning to you and then taking time to be still and listen. To clothe yourself with Jesus is to allow your life to be consumed by His life, which is true life. It means reading His Word in an unhurried way, allowing what you read to sink into your heart and then thinking and meditating about what you read. It means operating in your new identity in Christ wherever you go and whoever you’re with. It’s becoming the same person outside of church that you are in church because you wear the same clothing (Jesus) whatever you are doing.

Trying to do all of that in your own strength without clothing yourself with Jesus is not only exhausting, but winds up being futile because you won’t be able to keep it up. It is Christ in you (Colossians 1:27) that gives you what you need to live in the power of your new life and allows you to be the same sanctified and renewed person through all circumstances and situations, including the good times and the bad times. That’s the only way to dress for success as a follower of Christ and He has provided the clothes that will fit you perfectly. Dress to win the race as you clothe yourself with your Lord and Savior Jesus!

Pastor Joey Vazquez