Taking Off, Putting On, and the Garment of Praise
In counsel with a brother in CHRIST, the idea of “taking off” and “putting on” has been something I’ve tried to intentionally focus on these days.
One of the passages we discussed was Ephesians 4:
“That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to GOD, in true righteousness and holiness.”
(Ephesians 4:22–24, NKJV)
Two key reminders before we continue:
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This is not an act of works apart from CHRIST. We cannot put off an “old man” only to take up a new version of the “old man.” Something has to die — namely us — and literally CHRIST. It is only through HIS death, and our turning to HIM in acknowledgment and repentance of our sin, that we can experience a death that brings new life — the new man.
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This is not an act of works… it’s an act of worship.
For me, it’s lately been taking off and putting on new thoughts, focuses, and desires — much like my previous reflection from Philippians 4:8:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
(Philippians 4:8, ESV)
This list Paul gives is practical, helpful, and descriptive — but each of them is fulfilled in CHRIST. To direct our gaze at Philippians 4:8 is to direct our gaze at CHRIST.
We see the connection clearly in Galatians 3:27:
“For as many of you as were baptized into CHRIST have put on CHRIST.”
This morning, as I lay in bed, my mind began to take off like dropping a Mentos into a bottle of Diet Coke — one is my brain, the other is the morning… mix them, and away I go!
Thus, another reminder to take off, and put on!
So laying there, in my “taking off” and “putting on,” I was drawn to Isaiah 61, especially verse 3 — where it speaks of taking off our garment of heaviness and replacing it with a garment of praise.
Even more beautiful in context, Isaiah 61 flows from what was done for us.
MISSION (vv. 1–3a)
The Spirit of the LORD GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
SALVATION (v. 3b)
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that HE may be glorified.
IDENTITY (vv. 4–9)
And they shall rebuild the old ruins,
They shall raise up the former desolations,
And they shall repair the ruined cities,
The desolations of many generations.Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,
And the sons of the foreigner
Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.But you shall be named the priests of the LORD,
They shall call you the servants of our God.
You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles,
And in their glory you shall boast.Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,
And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.
Therefore in their land they shall possess double;
Everlasting joy shall be theirs.For I, the LORD, love justice;
I hate robbery for burnt offering;
I will direct their work in truth,
And will make with them an everlasting covenant.
Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles,
And their offspring among the people.
All who see them shall acknowledge them,
That they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed.
JOY AND PRAISE (vv. 10–11)
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
My soul shall be joyful in my GOD;
For HE has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
HE has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Church, may we strive to take off our spirit of heaviness and put on the garment of praise today. Not by our own works, but by worship — rejoicing in the One who has clothed us in salvation and righteousness.
It's not easy - but it is simple - His ways always are.
Let us put on CHRIST today.
His,
~Matthew
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