“…now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us CAST OFF the works of darkness, and let us PUT ON the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But PUT ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Rom. 13:11-14)
Every day we are to “put on” Christ, and when we do, the Holy Spirit works at transforming us to be MORE AND MORE LIKE JESUS: “Put on your NEW NATURE, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and BECOME LIKE HIM,” (Col. 3:10). So what does it mean to “put on” Jesus? Why does Paul tell us to “CLOTHE” ourselves with Christ? A man named Frederick Beuchner, helps us gain some insight from a story he tells called “The Happy Hypocrite.” It’s a story about a man who was born with an awful facial deformity…
He grew up alone and lonely. When reaching adulthood, he decided to move from his town to begin a new life. On his way he discovered a beautiful mask that fit his making him look handsome. At first the mask was uncomfortable and he was afraid that people would find out who he really was, but he continued to wear the mask every day.
In his new hometown, he made many friends and fell in love. But one day a wicked woman from his old home came to his town and discovered this man’s true identity. In front of his friends and fiancé, she forced him to remove his mask. When he removed the mask, it revealed a handsome face. HIS FACE HAD CONFORMED TO THE MASK.
Becoming like Christ is similar to this. Go ahead and put on Christ. At first it may feel unnatural or uncomfortable, and maybe you may think, “Who am I trying to fool?” But everyday just keep putting on Christ and every day you WILL GROW TO LOOK MORE LIKE HIM. “Put on your NEW NATURE, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and BECOME LIKE HIM,” (Col. 3:10)
-Bill Stockham