Wear Things That Fit
Wear Things
that Fit
Have you ever watched a small child? It isn’t difficult for
children to act like children. Little children don’t worry about whether they
grew enough this week. They aren’t planning where their next meal is coming
from. They never wonder whether they are actually your child or not and they
simply trust that you will meet their needs. They trust to the point where they
don’t even think about it. They just go around being themselves
Jesus used children as an example of the sort of faith that
results in salvation.
Matthew 19:14 (NASB)
14 But Jesus said,
"Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as
these."
Matthew 18:2-4 (NASB)
2 And He called a
child to Himself and set him before them,
3 and said,
"Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 "Whoever then
humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
A couple of years ago, Joan and I attended a conference.
Karl Kakadelis, one of the speakers there, said something that has stuck with
me because it illuminated a very important Gospel truth. Karl said, “We are not
the product of our environment. Our behavior does not define us. Nurture does
not define what a thing is. Who we are is determined by our birth. The cross is
not just the place where Jesus died for my sins; it is also the vehicle He used
to change people’s identity.”
Our behavior and our thinking come from who we are. Paul
touched on this in 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NASB)
11 When I was a
child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child;
when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
In this passage Paul was talking about the importance of
love, but his statement in this verse illustrates the fact that we act and
think like who we are. Children do not act and think like adults, adults do not
act and think like children, people don’t act and think like cats, and sinners
don’t act and think like saints.
This is why it’s so important for us to have a firm grasp on
who we are in Christ. We have become His children. Partakers in His nature.
Heirs of His kingdom.
1 John 3:1-2 (NASB)
1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed
on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this
reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has
not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be
like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
We are His children, and as such, we share in His nature in
just the same way as we share in the nature of our earthly parents. This is
part of what Paul was getting at when he talked about the mystery of Christ in
us.
Colossians 1:25-28 (NASB)
25 Of this church I
was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for
your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,
26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from
the past ages and generations, but has
now been manifested to His saints,
27 to whom God willed
to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28 We proclaim Him,
admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may
present every man complete in Christ.
In the next chapter, Paul elaborates about our identity.
Colossians 2:9-12 (NASB)
9 For in Him all the
fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,
10 and in Him you have been made complete, and
He is the head over all rule and authority;
11 and in Him you
were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of
the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;
12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in
which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God,
who raised Him from the dead.
So we see that we died with Christ and we were raised with
Him. Jumping down to verse 20, Paul drives his point home.
Colossians 2:20-23 (NASB)
20 If you have died
with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living
in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as,
21 "Do not
handle, do not taste, do not touch!"
22 (which all refer
to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and
teachings of men?
23 These are matters
which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and
self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against
fleshly indulgence.
Our behavior is not controlled by rules or laws. It isn’t
controlled by what the world says about us. In fact, rules and laws and what
people think can’t really change our conduct and thinking. They are of no value
against fleshly indulgence. Only walking according to who we really
are—children of God led by the Holy Spirit—can do that.
Galatians 5:16 (NASB)
16 But I say, walk by
the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
In First Corinthians Paul makes it clear that we are no
longer under the Mosaic law. Even so, not all behavior or thoughts fit with who
we are in Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:12 (NASB)
12 All things are
lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me,
but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 10:23 (NASB)
23 All things are
lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all
things edify.
We are new creations, new creatures. We are in Christ and
different things fit us now; it’s part of who we are. Eating leaves fits a
caterpillar. Eating nectar fits a butterfly.
Ephesians 5:8-9 (NASB)
8 for you were
formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
9 (for the fruit of
the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
New things fit us now.
Romans 13:14 (NASB)
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in
regard to its lusts.
The NIV has a really clear way of rendering this: Romans
13:14 (NIV)
14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,
and do not think about how to gratify the
desires of the flesh. (Note: NIV
replaces the Greek word sarx (flesh) with “sinful nature”, which is incorrect.
Later versions of NIV have corrected this.)
We agree with God and trust Him like children trust their
parents.
Hebrews 13:5-6 (NASB)
5 Make sure that your
character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for
He Himself has said, "I WILL
NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"
6 so that we confidently say, "THE
LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"
God has said… so we say. We agree with Him because we trust
Him. Trusting fits us now.
Scripture talks in several places about us putting on things
that fit us.
Romans 13:12 (NASB)
12 The night is
almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of
darkness and put on the armor of light.
Galatians 3:26-27 (NASB)
26 For you are all
sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For all of you who
were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
We are in Him, just like we are in our clothing. Even
better, He is in us
Ephesians 4:22-24 (NASB)
22 that, in reference
to your former manner of life, you lay
aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts
of deceit,
23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and
holiness of the truth.
Righteousness and holiness fit us now.
God’s armor fits us now too.
Ephesians 6:11-17 (NASB)
11 Put on the full
armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the
devil.
12 For our struggle
is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers,
against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of
wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, take up
the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and
having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm
therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
15 and having shod
YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
16 in addition to
all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish
all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 And take THE
HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Each of these is put on by faith. We wear each of these by
trusting that what Father says about Himself, and what He says about us, is
true.
God said; so we say.
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” – We are
in the Truth and the belt of Truth fits.
God said, “He who knew no sin was made to be sin for us, so
that we could become the righteousness of God in Him.” He is righteous, we are in Him, and the breastplate of
righteousness fits.
Readiness of the Good News, When we rest in His finished
work, we are not tired from self-effort, instead, we are ready for whatever may
be in our path.
The shield of faith extinguishes all the flaming arrows of
the accuser. When we believe what Abba says about Himself and about us we walk
according to the Spirit and the lies of the enemy are killed by the Truth.
Galatians 5:16 (NASB)
16 But I say, walk by
the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
The helmet of salvation protects our head, our mind. We know
that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. When we are anxious about
our salvation we lose our peace of mind.
Father kindly shows us how to deal with such things.
Philippians 4:4-9 (NASB)
4 Rejoice in the Lord
always; again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentle
spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
6 Be anxious for
nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of
God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and
if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
9 The things you have
learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the
God of peace will be with you.
This kind of thinking brings life and peace and it fits us,
so we are urged to put it on.
The sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) also fits.
John 1:1-4 (NASB)
1 In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the
beginning with God.
3 All things came
into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has
come into being.
4 In Him was life,
and the life was the Light of men.
Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh, and we are in
Him. This is a primary reason why when we hear the Truth of the Good News, it
resonates with our spirit.
Colossians 3:1-17 (NASB)
1 Therefore if you
have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ
is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on
the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him
in glory.
5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as
dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to
idolatry.
6 For it is because
of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,
7 and in them you
also once walked, when you were living in them.
These things no longer fit.
8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath,
malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one
another, since you laid aside the old
self with its evil practices,
10 and have put on the new self who is being
renewed to a true knowledge according
to the image of the One who created him—
11 a renewal in which
there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God,
holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness
and patience;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a
complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
14 Beyond all these
things put on love, which is the
perfect bond of unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within
you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 Whatever you do in
word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him
to God the Father.
We are fused with Christ.
We are one with Him just as He and the Father are one. We are His
beloved children, each one of us is His favorite. Each of us is a unique
expression of His wonderful and indestructible life. He wanted this exact us at this place and time.
1 Corinthians 6:17 (NASB)
17 But the one who
joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
All we are asked to do is be ourselves. As Andrew Farley
says, “If you want steps, here are three steps, Wake up; Remember who you are;
Be yourself.” Don’t be afraid to put on all the wonderful new traits you’ve inherited
because of who you now are.
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