What to Put On

“And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”  Luke 24:49

People give much attention to what material clothes they should put on, but the New Testament tells us what spiritual clothes to put on. We are to put on power, and this is imparted only by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), according to Christ’s departing promise.

“Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light...put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Romans 13:12, 14). “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

Along with this, we are to “lay aside the old self,” and then to “put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph. 4:22, 24). Then, we must “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

These items of spiritual clothing - the power of the Holy Spirit, the light of God’s presence, the new man in Christ, the resurrection life of the indwelling Christ, His imputed righteousness and holiness and all our spiritual armor - provide the foundation clothing for beautiful spiritual jewels and accessories. “You laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 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....put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience....Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity” (Col. 3:9-12, 14).