the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 13:14. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 15:31; Philippians 3:8-15
If we did not receive a new garment, we should perish in the old garment of sin and mortality. But such a new garment is given to us by God and offered to us through the Gospel. It is handed to us and put on us when we stretch out our hands for it; readily put off the old garment and willingly let go of it. On the other hand, he who loves the old man with the lusts and desires so highly that he will not separate from it, can have no part in the new man which is Christ. Paul says (Galatians 3:27), "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. " Yet he says (Romans 13:14), to all who are already baptized, put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. " Is it, then, necessary to put on that which we have already put on? Yes, certainly; because we often put off that which in the first zeal we have put on; and because we have not yet put Christ on in such an inseparable manner that we continually remain in Him. He who remains in Christ need not continually put Him on anew. All that he needs is to hold fast to Him, and possess his heart and his thoughts in His peace. Thus says also St. Paul (Galatians 2:20), "I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless," he says, "I die daily. " The putting off of the old man and the putting on of the new man, or the death of the old man, and the life in Christ, is, therefore, something which even the apostles could not so quickly accomplish. Much less, then, dare we regard ourselves as perfect. We must strive daily to die, and daily to live in Jesus. If we saw and clearly understood how little the filthy garment of the old man is becoming to us; how it mars our looks in the eyes of God, we would hate the garment soiled by the flesh; we would hasten to get rid of it today rather then to-morrow. If we had a clear idea of the beauty and glory of the new man; if Christ were thoroughly revealed to us; if we believed that He is given unto us in order that we should put Him on, abide and live in Him, we would not remain so long without Him; we would lay hold of Him and hasten to Him just as one who is naked hastens into the clothes, ashamed at his nakedness.
Lord, I come to Thee for rest!
Take possession of my breast;
There Thy blood-bought right maintain.
And without a rival reign.
