“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:14 NKJV)
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27 NKJV) “And put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24 KJV) “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, manifold mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.” (Colossians 3:12-14 KJV) “Put on,” used in these verses means ‘to be clothed in.’ Our clothing is a covering for our physical bodies. It is protection from the elements, a covering for our vulnerability, provision for our warmth and comfort. In the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit, they made coverings for themselves from fig leaves to hide the shame of their nakedness from God. (Genesis 3:7,10) And we have been doing it ever since; clothing ourselves in everything other than what we were truly meant to wear. Covering With the thread of sin I wove my clothes Thinking I was covered; concealed I stitched a shirt of brokenness My true heart never revealed I fashioned pants to cloak my shame Fine linen, no fig leaves for me I created shoes to disguise my walk Covering what was crippled underneath I donned a bonnet of righteousness Made from my many good deeds I wore a necklace of pride so bright It blinded me to my deepest need I made gloves to cloak my hands Too fair to embrace the sun I crafted a coat of heaviness To cover what had grown numb My face left uncovered, yet still veiled The smile, my eyes, my pleasant voice Clothes of falsehood, a well-fitted mask My wardrobe, each piece, my choice While wearing my self-made attire A man appeared and held my gaze He looked nothing at all like me Wearing only a seamless robe of grace As He passed, He spoke softly “I can see beyond the external show. If you are tired of all your pretense, Follow me if you admire my clothes." I stood there for a moment startled Undone, unsettled, feeling lost Then I began to follow Him Not knowing what it would cost The path ahead began to narrow No room but for only us two The underbrush began to tear and rip At the seams of old becoming new We reached the end of the path A glorious warm light began to glow All I stood in, the clothes I’d made Revealing all I did not know A voice began to fill the air, “Those clothes of yours would never do. They were ill-fitting, unremarkable, They speak nothing of what is true.” “Lay down the garments of all that was Let go of the clothes you’ve worn. I’ve made all the clothes you’ll ever need Take My covering and be reborn.” “You were not made to wear deceit Not made to be covered in death Not made to form the clothes you wear Come and behold the scarlet thread.” “You were made to wear a robe of grace Made for clothes that set you free You were made to be clothed in beauty Covered over in nothing but Me.” “Clothed in my loving sacrifice Clothed in my mercy and love Clothed in all of my glory Covered and seated above.” “Now put on this robe I’ve given Now put on the vesture of peace Now you are covered in all I am Now you are clothed in Me…” So what are you wearing? Are you cloaked in grief, unable to see the closet full of lighter clothes? Are you covered in a false identity, wearing only what others have told you to put on? Are you mantled in pleasing people, validating your worth? Are you draped in shame unable to put on grace? Are you embroidered with guilt rather than enveloped in mercy? Jesus wore a crown of thorns that pierced His brow so you could wear the mind of Christ. He wore bruises so you could wear peace. He wore stripes so you could wear healing. He wore His own blood like a garment so you could wear forgiveness like a flood. He wore a veil of sin and darkness so He could remove the veil from your eyes and give you light. He wore nails in His hands and feet so you could wear the precious jewels of His great love. Jesus wore a Cross so you could wear HIs amazing grace. He wore death so you could wear life. He rose in garments of glory so you could be made new. He is now draped in the Father ever making intercession for you. "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ..." Clothe yourself in Him and Him alone. Written by Anne Marie Hawke December 2020 To subscribe to my blog or to find out more about my writing please visit my website at hawkewriter.com
1 Comment
Cheery
12/12/2020 06:44:13 pm
Wow so true and beautiful! We have such a wonderful father
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