Put On the Lord Jesus Christ: Conduct That Follows Identity

The Christian life begins with a change so profound that Scripture describes it as a new birth, a new creation, and even a resurrection from the dead. Christianity is not merely the improvement of an existing life. It is the impartation of a new life in Christ, followed by the lifelong work of bringing thought, conduct, and character into conformity with the One from whom that life comes.

Paul describes the condition from which believers have been delivered in unmistakable terms. They once "walked according to the course of this world," fulfilling "the desires of the flesh and of the mind" and living as "children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2-3). This does not mean that every unbeliever expresses every possible form of wickedness. It means that humanity apart from Christ belongs to a fallen order. Its desires, judgments, loyalties, and habits arise from a nature estranged from God.

A person shaped by this world naturally produces the works of this world. The problem is deeper than isolated misconduct because conduct grows from character. The Lord Jesus taught that a corrupt tree brings forth corrupt fruit. The fruit does not make the tree corrupt. It reveals what the tree already is. In the same way, sinful actions are the visible expression of a nature already disordered by sin.

This is why the gospel offers more than forgiveness for individual acts. God does not merely erase a record while leaving the sinner inwardly unchanged. He gives life to those who were dead in trespasses and sins. He joins them to Christ, places His Spirit within them, and begins the work of renewing them according to the image of the One who created them.

The Language of Clothing

Paul expresses this transformation through the language of clothing: "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:14). The image is both simple and demanding. Clothing is visible. It covers the person and becomes part of the appearance presented to the world. To put on Christ is therefore to live so that His character becomes increasingly visible in the believer.

Paul uses the same imagery elsewhere. He tells the Galatians, "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27). Here the language refers first to the believer's new identity and standing. Those united to Christ belong to Him. They are no longer defined ultimately by nationality, social position, human achievement, or former sin. They are clothed with Christ because they have been joined to Christ.

Indicative Before Imperative

Yet what is true of the believer's standing must increasingly become evident in the believer's conduct. The Christian is called to become in practice what he already is in Christ. The indicative of grace gives rise to the imperative of obedience. We do not imitate Christ in order to become accepted by God. We seek to resemble Christ because, through grace, we have already been accepted in Him.

This distinction is essential. Moral transformation is not the foundation of salvation. Christ Himself is the foundation. His obedience, death, and resurrection establish the believer's peace with God. Nevertheless, the grace that justifies also begins to transform. The Christ who receives sinners does not leave them permanently dressed in the habits of the old life.

Putting Off and Putting On

Paul develops this thought in Ephesians by telling believers to "put off concerning the former conversation the old man," to be renewed in the spirit of their minds, and to "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24). The old manner of life must be removed because it no longer corresponds to the believer's new identity. Falsehood must give way to truth. Corrupt speech must yield to words that edify. Bitterness, wrath, and malice must be displaced by kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness.

The pattern is not arbitrary. Each virtue reflects the character of Christ. Believers forgive "even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven" them (Ephesians 4:32). The conduct commanded is grounded in the grace already received. Christians do not generate Christlike virtue from their own moral resources. They extend to others what has first been given to them in Christ.

The same movement appears in Colossians. Those who have put off the old man and put on the new are commanded to clothe themselves with "bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering," bearing with one another and forgiving one another. Above all, they are to put on love, "which is the bond of perfectness" (Colossians 3:12-14).

These are not ornamental virtues added to an otherwise complete Christian life. They are the recognizable shape of the life of Christ reproduced in His people. Compassion reflects the One who was moved by the suffering of the weak. Humility reflects the One who took the form of a servant. Meekness reflects the One who did not retaliate when reviled. Patience reflects the One who bore with the ignorance and failures of His disciples. Forgiveness reflects the One who prayed for His executioners and bore the sins of His enemies.

Every Part of Life Under His Rule

To put on Christ, therefore, is not merely to adopt a respectable religious appearance. It is to submit every part of life to the renewing power of His presence. The mind must learn to think according to His truth. The will must learn to submit to His lordship. The affections must learn to love what He loves and hate what He hates. Speech, relationships, ambitions, and private conduct must all be brought beneath His rule.

This transformation remains incomplete in the present life. Believers still struggle with the remnants of sin, and the old habits do not disappear without resistance. Paul's commands to put off and put on assume an active and continuing struggle. Grace does not make obedience unnecessary. Grace makes obedience possible.

Yet the believer does not undertake this work alone. The Spirit of God works within those who belong to Christ, producing the very virtues the law commands but fallen humanity cannot supply. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control are called the fruit of the Spirit because they grow from His presence rather than from unaided human determination.

The purpose of Christian maturity is therefore not the cultivation of an impressive religious self. It is conformity to Jesus Christ. God's intention is that those whom He has called should be "conformed to the image of his Son" (Romans 8:29). The virtues found perfectly in Christ are the virtues that should increasingly mark every son and daughter whom God has brought into His family.

The Christian life begins by receiving Christ, continues by abiding in Christ, and reaches its appointed goal when believers are finally made like Christ. Until that day, the command remains both our duty and our privilege: put off the garments of the old life, be renewed in the mind, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. The clearest evidence that we belong to Him is not that we merely speak His name, but that His truth governs our minds, His love shapes our relationships, and His character becomes increasingly visible in our lives.