Galatians 3:27. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
We are not under law; we are IN Christ. We are not under the guardian; we are IN Christ. This union with Christ happens through our “baptism into Christ,” an act of the Spirit, produced by faith – “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith” (3:26). “Baptized into Christ” is the result of faith, not works; therefore, our water baptism should be seen as a sign of our Spirit baptism, not the cause of our Spirit baptism. Spirit baptism is something that has happened to us, and for that matter, so is the next phrase – you “have put on Christ.” Once for all time, you have been clothed in the life and righteousness of Christ. Like the High Priest, Joshua, in Zechariah 3, we have had our filthy robes removed and have been clothed in the pure vestments of His cleansing grace.
Paul may also have in mind the imagery of a young Roman son who is brought into mature manhood, out from under the tutor or guardian slave, and given the new toga of a full heir. He has now put on the clothing that indicates his new standing as a son. In the same way, “you have put on Christ” is a picture of our adoption into the freedom of God’s adult sons.
Have you ever been to Disney World and seen someone dressed up as Mickey Mouse? Like the person who wears the Mickey costume at the theme park, no matter what they may be outside of that suit, IN that suit, they are loved and adored by everyone in that park. They have put on Mickey Mouse and, in so doing, have received his identity in place of their own.
Or, to use a biblical example, like the prodigal son who returned home and was given a new robe, sandals, and a ring by His Father, we too receive our older Brother’s robe, sandals, and ring. We have put on His clothing. We have put on His identity. We have put on His righteousness. All that the Father has is His, and now it is also ours in Him.
Freedom in Christ is ours because we put on Christ and everything that is His: His love, His life, His holiness, His righteousness, His justice, His grace, His suffering, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, His glory. All that is true of Jesus is now true of us, for we have been baptized into Him and have put on His life as our own.
You: Have you put on Christ? How do you know?
You in Christ: How does being “clothed” in Christ’s identity produce freedom for us? Think about freedom from your past and freedom in your future.
Christ in you: Where can you see yourself living from Christ’s identity more and more in your daily life?
Pray: Father, You have welcomed me home and clothed me in Jesus’ own robes of righteousness. I want to live as Him in the world today. Help me. Amen.
