Putting On the Lord Jesus Christ: Living a Visible Christian Life

Summary

This article challenges believers to live in a way that visibly reflects Christ. Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ means yielding to Him and growing in compassion, humility, patience, forgiveness, and love. Christ’s peace and God’s Word must rule both heart and church. When believers act in Jesus’ name with gratitude and integrity, they protect His reputation and powerfully witness to the world.

Would Your Life Reveal You Follow Christ?

Would a stranger watching you for a week suspect you are a Christian? Increasingly, your behavior can match your profession as you continue to put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ

Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ means yielding to Him. In time, you become more like Him.

Growing in Christlike Character

You become more compassionate. You feel more deeply for and reach out to the needy.

You become kinder. You do what is best for others.

You become humbler. You think truly of yourself, not less or more.

You become gentler. You do not insist on your way. You consider others and give up your rights.

Love, Forgiveness, and Christ’s Peace

You become more patient. You endure wrongs without losing your temper or desiring vengeance.

You bend God’s forgiveness ninety degrees. You spread it to those who have offended you. You recognize their slights are insignificant compared to how much God has forgiven you.

Love sacrifices to benefit others. It sews the quilt of all these virtues together.

Are you thinking that you cannot love people who have hurt you? It is not like you. That is the point.

It is just like Jesus. He wants to live through you. The source of God’s love is also the source of His peace.

Tune into Christ’s peace. Allow it to rule in your heart. Let it guide what you think, say, and do.

Many profess to follow Jesus but are not in touch with Him. They often cause strife and turmoil in churches.

Be thankful. Focus on God’s gifts. You will never run out of reasons to be thankful.

You will not have an inflated sense of your importance. You will not wallow in self-pity.

Letting God’s Word Rule the Church

Escort God’s word into your heart by reading, studying, and submitting. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly” (Colossians 3:16 NIV). “You” is plural.

God’s word must be at home in the whole church. Everyone must learn to feed themselves spiritually and translate God’s word into daily living.

Living for Jesus and Guarding His Reputation

Do everything in Jesus’ name. Christians bear His name. As such, seek to live worthy of Him. His reputation is at stake.

The Bible does not detail rules for every life situation. When in doubt, answer several questions.

What is the Christian thing to do? Can I do this without compromising my profession? Can I do this in the name of the Lord Jesus? Can I thank the Father for this opportunity?

Consider the consequences of not putting on the Lord Jesus Christ. You will almost certainly be one of the hypocrites that unbelievers use to excuse their misbehavior. You will tarnish Jesus’ reputation.

Much is at stake. When you wake, put on your clothes and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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