Let's Get Real. Clothing the Naked

 Clothing the Naked.

Welcome. Today we are continuing our series, "Let's Get Real." If you missed any, that's ok. You can find them all here in the archives. We are currently going through the list of things Jesus told us plainly, that would be a measuring stick of sorts or a criterion of which we can see how God will see our lives at our time before Him. Here is the "list."

"I was hungry and you gave me food,"

"I was thirsty and you gave me drink, "

"I was a stranger and you welcomed me,"

"I was naked and you clothed me,"

"I was sick and you visited me,"

"I was in prison and you came to me.’

To those who do not gain entry to heaven, He said that they did not do any of these. See the whole conversation in Matthew 25:31-46. Today we will be discussing this one.

"I was naked and you clothed me,"

Now of course we are talking about the literal meaning, to clothe those in need. Giving to the poor, and or homeless as an example. Remember what James said?

"If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." James 2:15-17

Makes sense does it not? We should be doing this. Without a doubt, we need to help those in need. If you see a kid in your neighborhood that has no shoes, or shoes falling apart? Get some new ones for them. You see someone on your way to work all the time, and they do not seem to have any decent clothes? Go get them some. But I submit to you, that Jesus is not only referring to physical clothing but spiritual clothing as well.

What is spiritual clothing? Look at this.

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these, the wrath of God is coming. In these, you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free, but Christ is all and in all."

That is the naked you. The dirty you. The you that was in need of new clothes. What Clothes? Keep reading.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:1-17

If you are in this world, and of this world, the clothes you are wearing are worldly, dirty, obscenely offensive, worn out, rags. You may as well be running around naked. However, the world sees you as one of theirs. You are wearing their colors. But there is better clothing to put on. Clothes help you to be " beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another" It is through the Blood of Christ that you get these clothes.

Look at Galatians 3:26-27

"So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

Are you clothing the naked with Christ? Are you showing them a better way? Are you telling them it is far better who you are than what you are wearing? Even the $3000.00 suite does not cover the ugliness and evil that lies beneath. Are you telling them things like this?

"Do not let your adorning be external, the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear, but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:3-4

Or as we read in Isaiah?

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult 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 like a priest with a beautiful headdress," Isaiah 61:10

What about the world? What about the devil? There is a war going on and the truth is, you are on one side or the other. If you claim to be with God, are you fighting the war naked? Unless you are David, I suggest you put on the armor that cannot be overcome. The armor that no weapon ever formed can harm you. The Armor of God.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints," Ephesians 6:10-18

This is why we read this in Romans 8.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake, we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39

Without God, without the blood of Christ, you do not stand a chance. No chance in hell. You are on your way there. You already lost. You already belong to the devil. But with God. With the blood of Christ, you,

"have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

You have put on the Robes of Righteousness. You have put on Christ. As for the war? the devil? You have put on the whole Armor of God. NOTHING will ever separate you from His love. Wear and teach others to wear, clothes that cannot ever wear out. Clothes that are whiter than white and will never fade. Armor that can and will protect you from anything. Let's get real with clothing the naked. Let's get dressed, and go out looking for others to clothe. What say you?

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature.

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!!