In the Bible, God’s inspired word uses clothing symbolically to show how spiritual transformation takes place in the life of born again believers. We cooperate with the Holy Spirit by intentional repentance (from sinful nature to God) and confession (admitting personal sins and asking for forgiveness). This is something we do daily, like changing our clothing, we put off the old and put on the new. Here’s a collection of what this looks like that I hope you’ll find encouraging and helpful…
A) God provides clothing for us
Genesis 3:21; God made clothing for Adam and Eve to cover their sin (first death - atonement for sin)
Job 27:16-17; Evil people store away mounds of clothing but the righteous will wear that clothing (Matthew 6:25,28; don't worry about what you'll wear)
Job 29:14; Put on righteousness as clothing; justice as a robe and turban
B) Lord God is "clothed" in righteousness, bringing justice and salvation for his own
Isaiah 59:17; The Lord put on righteousness as his armor, wore the helmet of salvation and clothed himself with robe of vengeance and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion (to bring justice)
Isaiah 61:10; Overwhelming joy in the Lord God! He dressed me with clothing of salvation and a robe of righteousness
Isaiah 63:1-3 The Lord's clothing stained red, announcing your salvation - the Lord has power to save! (Revelation 19:13)
C) We can't keep our old clothes when given righteous clothes from God
Luke 5:36; Matthew 9:16; old and new clothes can't be put together
Matthew 12:18-21; God put his Spirit on Jesus Christ, who nations put their hope in
Romans 13:11-14; Salvation is near, remove dark deeds like dirty clothes, put on the shining armor of right living.. put on the Lord Jesus Christ, make no provision for the lusts of the flesh
1 Corinthians 15:53-54; We put on incorruptible and immortality, then death is swallowed up in victory
2 Corinthians 1:22; He put a seal of ownership on us, his Spirit in our hearts guaranteeing what is to come
2 Corinthians 5:2-4; We grow weary in our present bodies and long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing - not wanting to die but that our bodies will be swallowed up by life.
Galatians 3:27; United with Christ in baptism, putting on Christ like new clothes
Ephesians 4:24; Put on your new nature, created to be like God - truly righteous and holy
Ephesians 4:25; Therefore YOU MUST put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor as members of one body
Ephesians 6:11-17; Put on all of God's armor so you will be able to stand against all strategies of the devil
Colossians 3:5,9-10; Put to death evil desires, covetousness, idolatry and don't lie. Put off the old man and put on the new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Colossians 3:12-14; Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, patience and put on love which binds them all together in unity
1 Thessalonians 2:5; We don't wear masks
E) We are disciples of Jesus Christ, living holy godly lives of faith, hope and love
1 Thessalonians 5:8; Put on faith and love as a breastplate (righteousness from Ephesians 6:14) and hope of salvation as a helmet (Isaiah 59:17)
1 Timothy 6:6-8; True godliness with contentment is true riches, we brought nothing to this world and can't take it with us when we leave - so having food and clothing is contentment.
Hebrews 10:16; God puts his laws in our hearts and writes them on our minds
James 2:2; Outward clothing has no value
1 John 3:2; We will be like Christ (so we will have to change)
1 Corinthians 13:13 faith, hope and love
Colossians 3:14; and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Matthew 25:36
A) God provides clothing for us
Genesis 3:21; God made clothing for Adam and Eve to cover their sin (first death - atonement for sin)
Job 27:16-17; Evil people store away mounds of clothing but the righteous will wear that clothing (Matthew 6:25,28; don't worry about what you'll wear)
Job 29:14; Put on righteousness as clothing; justice as a robe and turban
B) Lord God is "clothed" in righteousness, bringing justice and salvation for his own
Isaiah 59:17; The Lord put on righteousness as his armor, wore the helmet of salvation and clothed himself with robe of vengeance and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion (to bring justice)
Isaiah 61:10; Overwhelming joy in the Lord God! He dressed me with clothing of salvation and a robe of righteousness
Isaiah 63:1-3 The Lord's clothing stained red, announcing your salvation - the Lord has power to save! (Revelation 19:13)
C) We can't keep our old clothes when given righteous clothes from God
Luke 5:36; Matthew 9:16; old and new clothes can't be put together
Matthew 12:18-21; God put his Spirit on Jesus Christ, who nations put their hope in
- And at his resurrection he gave the apostles authority of his Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:4)
- Acts 10:30; Angels appear in dreams as having bright clothing (Acts 10:34-48 - so that the gospel can be heard and Holy Spirit can fall upon those being called close to God)
Romans 13:11-14; Salvation is near, remove dark deeds like dirty clothes, put on the shining armor of right living.. put on the Lord Jesus Christ, make no provision for the lusts of the flesh
1 Corinthians 15:53-54; We put on incorruptible and immortality, then death is swallowed up in victory
2 Corinthians 1:22; He put a seal of ownership on us, his Spirit in our hearts guaranteeing what is to come
2 Corinthians 5:2-4; We grow weary in our present bodies and long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing - not wanting to die but that our bodies will be swallowed up by life.
Galatians 3:27; United with Christ in baptism, putting on Christ like new clothes
Ephesians 4:24; Put on your new nature, created to be like God - truly righteous and holy
Ephesians 4:25; Therefore YOU MUST put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor as members of one body
Ephesians 6:11-17; Put on all of God's armor so you will be able to stand against all strategies of the devil
Colossians 3:5,9-10; Put to death evil desires, covetousness, idolatry and don't lie. Put off the old man and put on the new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Colossians 3:12-14; Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, patience and put on love which binds them all together in unity
1 Thessalonians 2:5; We don't wear masks
E) We are disciples of Jesus Christ, living holy godly lives of faith, hope and love
1 Thessalonians 5:8; Put on faith and love as a breastplate (righteousness from Ephesians 6:14) and hope of salvation as a helmet (Isaiah 59:17)
1 Timothy 6:6-8; True godliness with contentment is true riches, we brought nothing to this world and can't take it with us when we leave - so having food and clothing is contentment.
Hebrews 10:16; God puts his laws in our hearts and writes them on our minds
James 2:2; Outward clothing has no value
1 John 3:2; We will be like Christ (so we will have to change)
1 Corinthians 13:13 faith, hope and love
Colossians 3:14; and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.