There is an interesting passage in Romans 13:11-14, which describes our preparation for eternity in the presence of God. Paul wrote, “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
The text clearly indicates the imperative of preparation. It also shows that Christian preparation is found in holy living and obedience to God. Paul uses phrases such as “cast off the works of darkness”, “put on the armor of light,” “walk properly,” a walk not characterized by “revelry and drunkenness” … “lewdness and lust” … “strife and envy.” Finally, to make “no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
A most interesting thing about the text is the summary statement Paul uses to describe these efforts: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” This is the only time the phrase is used in scripture, though there is another similar phrase used in a different context. In Galatians 3:27 Paul wrote, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
What is interesting is the short phrase “put on.” In both passages the phrase is taken from the same Greek word, endy?, and has the sense of “sinking into a garment, to clothe or put on a garment, to array.”
In the Galatian passage, the context indicates what happens when an individual is baptized. He is clothed with Christ. The intention is clear. It is at the point of baptism when a man begins his relationship with the Lord. Baptism is not more important than faith, repentance or confession. But it is the final step that is taken to reaching the intended end — fellowship with Jesus.
This truth is established in many scriptures. It is shown in the actions of those who were baptized. The Jews in Acts 2, “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship” after being baptized. The Eunuch in Acts 8 “went on his way rejoicing.” Saul of Tarsus ceased his mourning fast, was strengthened and immediately “he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.” Out of gratitude, Cornelius and his household showed hospitality to Peter, as they “asked him to stay a few days.” The same is true of Lydia in Acts 16:15. The Philippian jailor brought Paul and Silas into his house “set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.” The simple truth is that before baptism, something had yet to be done. After baptism, the Christian life had begun. What had happened? They had “put on Christ.”
Another way to say the same thing is shared by Paul in Romans 6. “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (3-4). In this, the phrases “put on Christ” and “walk in newness of life” have roughly the same significance.
The second passage in Romans 13:14 has reference to the type of life a Christian should live as a result of this new relationship with the Lord. God expects holiness from us. “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
The apostle John puts it in certain and simple terms. “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7). Do you get it? A life that is not lived righteously is a life that does not have that relationship with Christ. You can’t say that you are clothed or arrayed with Christ if you are not in obedience to Him.
That is not to say that the baptism was not valid. We are talking of a different thing here. A sinner can become a Christian by putting on Christ. But, if that Christian stops living as an obedient, holy disciple, he can lose his relationship with the Lord. That is why Peter wrote of some who had departed from the truth, “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning” (2 Peter 2:20). Rather than disputing the plain teaching of scripture, BEWARE!
