WHAT NOT TO WEAR

June 30

Bible Reading: Romans 13

Romans 13:14, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

There used to be a show on TV called, “What Not to Wear.”  The format of the show was to find some poorly attired person who would then be assisted by fashion experts to make drastic alterations to his or her wardrobe.  Afterwards, the now well-attired person was introduced to family and friends, who would then respond to the dramatic improvement with corresponding amazement.

Spiritually speaking, we live and exist in a “What Not to Wear” reality.  Adam and Eve were the first to experience the trauma of being inappropriately dressed (Genesis 3:7).  By God’s grace, their wardrobe was later upgraded (Genesis 3:21).  But they have left to us all, in sin, a legacy of being inappropriate attired before our thrice-holy God (Romans 5:12; Isaiah 6:1-5; Zechariah 3:1-5).

The believer in Christ is one who has experienced a radical change of identity.  By a work of the Spirit of God, he has been created anew, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Positionally speaking, the believer is one who even now attired with the very righteousness of Christ (Romans 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:21).  The command to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” is a command to the believer to live according to his new identity (who he truly is).

The phrase “put on” means to “put on as a garment or to cause to get into a garment.”  It is used here figuratively and speaks not just to external matters, but to intimate identification with Christ in all respects.  The command is to put on practically that which has already been put on positionally (Galatians 3:27, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ”).  The “put on” terminology is likewise used elsewhere by the Apostle Paul to describe the need to live according to one’s new identity in Christ (Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10).

The same phrase is used in Luke 15:22, where we find a wonderful illustration of a dramatic change in attire.  In his pursuit of sin, the prodigal son ultimately found himself in a most dreadful estate—feeding the pigs and longing for pig food.  In caring for the pigs, he was no doubt smelly and unbearable to be around, his clothes being covered with pig mire and all!  He came to his senses and returned to his father.  His father then saw him, embraced him, and put on him a robe, a ring, and new sandals on his feet.  One would suppose that he was henceforth delighted to have exchanged his noxious smelling garments for new and better ones.  His new garments identified him to be a member of his father’s household and testified to his father’s love.

Kent Hughes once commented on Romans 13:14, “The fact is, we have this new self if we are Christians.  We received the old man at birth, and we were given the new man in our heavenly birth.  The new man is not our work—it is God’s creation and gift.  Our task is not to weave it, but to wear it.  Paul is commanding a daily appropriation of that which we already possess…We have our part to do in dressing ourselves with the divine wardrobe, for here, clothes do make the man—and the woman!  We must daily set aside the rotting garments of the old man.  We must formally reject sensuality and selfish pride and materialism and bitterness.  We must read the Word and ask God to renew our minds through the Spirit.  We must work out our salvation by doing those things that will develop a Biblical mind.  We must put on our new, shining garments of light.  We must put on what we are!” 

Kent Hughes

The appropriate attire for the believer in Christ is Spirit-borne, Christ-like attitudes and actions (Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:12-14).  By God’s grace, in the Lord Jesus Christ, we’ve been made recipients of an appropriate and glorious wardrobe. All we must do is put it on.

In putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be well attired before God and man for any occasion and for whatever task God calls upon you to do!

May His beauty rest upon me
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel
Seeing only Him.

Unknown's avatar

Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

Leave a comment