In the military, we had different uniforms for different occasions. For the most formal events, we wore “dress blues,” the military equivalent of a tuxedo. Other uniforms, such as the ones we wore every day to work, were not appropriate at those events.

If you wore your dress blues, it meant you were going to a dinner where there would be a guest of honor. It might be the commander of the unit, or even his boss. Depending upon the situation, you might even sit at the table with this VIP (very important person). In my own career, I wore dress blues at events where congressmen, senators, or generals were present.

Civilians can understand what I’m talking about. Most people have been to a special dinner where there was an important person. You wear your best clothes when you go to something like that.

In Rom 13:12, Paul says that a very important event will soon occur. A VIP will be there. He will be the Guest of honor. There is nobody as important as this Person.

Paul tells us we need to get dressed for this event. He doesn’t use the term “dress blues,” but he does say that we need to remove certain clothes and put on others. Some uniforms would not be appropriate. Only one set of clothes would be.

Here is the way Paul puts it: “…let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” The verb cast off is used to describe getting undressed. The verb put on is used to describe putting on clothes. Paul is saying that as we look forward to this special event, we need to take off certain clothes and put on our best uniform.

What is that day? Who is the Guest? And what are the clothes?

Paul uses the day to refer to the day of salvation (13:11). It is the day when Christ comes. On that day, our bodies of flesh will be no more. We will no longer be able to sin or experience the wrath that sin brings into our lives.

The Guest of honor will be the Lord Himself. He will establish His kingdom and sit upon His glorious throne. In the NT, the coming of His kingdom is often compared to a wonderful feast (e.g., Matt 8:11; Heb 1:9).

What clothes should we put on in anticipation of that day? I think Paul describes that uniform in a couple of ways in this passage. In verse 8, he tells the readers to love one another. Such a life fulfills what God desires of His children (v 10).

A few verses later, he tells the readers to “put on” (like clothes) the Lord Jesus Christ (v 14). The imagery is easy to understand. Believers should ask that the Lord live through them so that He can accomplish His work in them. Such a life will be characterized, most of all, by the love believers should have towards one another. That makes sense. He loves us.

When we love others, it is as if we are putting on Christ. It is like putting on a set of dress blues. No other kind of lifestyle, or “clothing,” will please Him when He appears. It will not be appropriate to appear before Him in any other way.

Our everyday uniform in the Army was something we called BDU’s. They were camouflage clothing. We never ironed them. They were often stained with dirt or even food. If there was an important social event, we would never have come in our BDU’s.

We are waiting to be in the presence of the King. May we desire to be properly dressed when He comes. If we love one another, we will be.