And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. –Galatians 3:27

I have always loved cute clothes. Bright colors, cute patterns, animal prints…I am guilty for loving them all. We spend time in the department stores, dressing rooms, and shopping malls. We are searching for that perfect outfit, color, designer that completes us. We buy magazines, read articles, watch the fashion updates because we want to be fashionable. Heaven forbid if we had on last year’s jeans, or pant cut, or designer purse. We are all trying to look our best, hide the wrinkles, and squeeze the bulge. For some of us this entire process is our crutch, our security, our strength. And somehow in the midst of the “newest” trend we forget our most important garment. …we forget to put on “Jesus.” We spend more time worrying about the outside and we neglect the heart of ultimate fashion…Christ the Savior, Christ the Redeemer, Christ the hope of Glory. We leave Him for another day…

When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.-John 14:20

When we accept Christ into our lives…we are in Him and He is in us. I just like the way that sounds…He unites with us, for us, and in us! It is an intimate and beautiful moment when we are joined to Him. He is our Lord and Savior and we are forever joined together. So why do we leave Him at home? Why are we searching for fulfillment in the shopping mall dressing room at 9:00pm? Why do we spend more time planning our outerwear than we do with our “royal wear?” Is our memory so short, our desires so shallow…that we neglect the most important garment of all? In putting on Him we put on righteousness, humility, and protection. He is our protector and we leave Him in the closet of our heart. Whatever goes through us must first go through Him! So when we leave the royal wear hanging…we are vulnerable, weakened, and unfit for the elements of life. We deprive ourselves of His supreme love and union. We are susceptible to illness and disease. Our appearance is ordinary and plain. Our faces forlorn and troubled…there is no glory in our smile, no twinkle in our eye…and no make-up, no skincare, no designer, no plastic surgeon can give us what we neglect to “put on”… our royal wear in Christ Jesus.

What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. –Galatians 2:19-20 (The Message)

I have always admired Paul’s passion. He truly had a vision and heard God’s voice and he was completely changed. He forever dressed himself in the fellowship and obedience of Christ. He searched and prayed and bowed His will. He spent the rest of his life on a mission. He never got up and left God hanging unused at home. Paul withstood beatings; he was shipwrecked, imprisoned, and almost drowned. And His royal attire protected and comforted him in all situations…until Paul was called home. Paul dressed himself in the mighty wardrobe of the King. And we must do the same.

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.-Ephesians 1:4

In Guyana there were no malls, no department stores, and no designer duds. There was only a crowd of beautiful faces and sparse belongings. And yet God never looked so magnificent. His glory burst through our team in adornment and majesty. We spent time and preparation dressing ourselves in the royal attire of the throne room. And in doing that He joined us, He united with us; He went with us in every moment and every circumstance. I don’t want to forget His Holy garments of armor. Fashions may come and go….but the beauty of the Lord remains forever. Do yourself a favor…the next time Satan whispers, “You need something better”…just head to a quiet place with your Bible. There is no therapy or treatment, or designer outfit that compares to those who seek His royal garments first. And even though His protection cannot isolate us from the bitter winds of life; His love clothes and protects us against Satan.  I am hidden in Christ and He is in me. His royal wardrobe is our under armour against Satan. Dress yourself in the throne room of heaven not the dressing room of this world. And His love will shine forth in you in glorious fashion…changing you, and those that meet you. He makes all things beautiful.

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