How Do We Wear Him?

On the one hand, the Scriptures speak of the Christian being clothed with Christ, being washed in His blood in baptism, and as wearing His righteousness. As we go about our daily lives, people are to see Christ in our behavior. On the other hand, the Scriptures speak of Christ dwelling in the Christian: “…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:16-17). This means that whatever we do and wherever we go, we take Christ with us — that He is in us (Romans 8:9-10).

• Do we subject Christ to fits of anger, pouting, grudges and bad language in worldly response to problems that occur in life?
• Do we mistreat our bodies (and Christ, who dwells in us) through our worldly habits as we partake of alcohol, nicotine and other harmful substances?
• Do we take Christ to places where He would not choose to go?
• Do we make ourselves a house where our Lord can be pleased to dwell, loving God and our fellow man, worshipping, doing good and teaching the lost to be saved?
• Or, do we live in such worldliness that He is continually hurt and stifled by our behavior? Will He stay with us, or might we force Him to leave?