INNER and OUTER garments

We are to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  In order to BE STRONG IN the Lord, we must PUT OFF the old man and PUT ON the new man.  Only those who are "dressed in His righteousness alone" will be "faultless to stand before the throne."  So what does it mean to "PUT ON" the Lord Jesus?  Well, we must put on both the INNER and OUTER garments of His righteousness.  

 

The INNER garments are His "bowels of compassion, tender mercies, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and forbearance.  Once His  inner garments are put on, it is then safe to put on His OUTER garments.  It is never safe to put on the outer garments without the inner garments being on first, because His outer garments are for war.  Getting dressed for battle without being clothed in the inner garments will prove disastrous, for only the inner garments will prevent our warring with fellow men.  

 

His OUTER garments are the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the marching boots of peace, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit.  Putting on these garments in their proper order will insure that we are preparing for war not with our own flesh and blood, but with the principalities and powers that are our true enemy.  We are to be fully clothed for one purpose - to war in prayer against principalities in behalf of our dear brothers. Having done everything to stand , we are to stand praying ....."through all prayer and petition praying in every season in the Spirit, and unto the same staying awake with all perseverance and prayer concerning all the saints."  

 

There is no need to BE STRONG in the Lord to play wholesome games and enjoy church picnics.  But if we are to persevere  in prayer for one another, we must BECOME STRONG in the Lord by PUTTING ON His righteousness - both His inner and outer garments.   The inner garments will equip us to love our brothers and the outer garments will equip us to war against our enemies.