NOT COVERALLS
...For you stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds. In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you. (Colossians 3:9&10)
God never intended that we put Him on like coveralls. Many times we are guilty of just trying to cover up with God and pretend that we have rid ourselves of the things that keep us down. This scripture tells us it is time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and filthy language. We are to quit lying to each other. The fact is that Christ has put a new nature in us. This new nature empowers us to strip off that old evil nature that we used to have. Notice that He empowers us; He does not do it for us.
If you use filthy language, it is up to you to quit. If you fail to control your anger or you gossip about people, it is up to you to quit. God gives us the power. The very nature of Christ is at our disposal, but we have to plug into the power.
Of course it is seems easier at times to just put Christ on like coveralls. We can hide for a while that way, but sooner or later we will not be able to stand the discomfort of all that baggage under our new nature. There is nothing worse than having more clothes on than you have room for under your coveralls. It is hard to even move let alone work or play.
The same is true when it comes to the nature of Christ. He won’t just cover up the things we are trying to hide. They will come to the surface and the only way to be comfortable is to get rid of Christ or get rid of the extra baggage. It is certainly not in the scope of living wisely to put off Christ, so that leaves getting rid of the baggage.
Remember, we all stand naked before the Lord. In other words, we can’t cover up anything by pretending to have a new nature. Have you ever notice that is easier to walk in His nature outside your home than inside. By that I mean that it is much easier in public than it is behind closed doors. Anger wants to take liberty behind closed doors. We are tempted to gossip. I know I am not always as loving or peaceful as I should be and it makes me just want to hurt the devil. However, in all honesty it is myself I need to take the swing at, because the Lord has given me a new nature and He has empowered me to be more than a conqueror in all these areas.
How about it, are there things that are hiding under your robe of righteousness that make you uncomfortable. Well, it is time to be rid of them. They cost us more that we can imagine in joy, peace, and all the blessings of God. Remember, we have put on Christ not coveralls. He came to cover all our sins, not cover them up. If we are wise, we will do our utmost to appear just as Christ-like under the robe. Proudly display that new nature.