"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society." --Mark Twain
Behold, with the words “He who abides in Me, and I in him,” (John 15:5) Christ wants to indicate that Christianity is not brought in from without; it is not put on like a garment, nor does it consist in the adoption of a new manner of living, which, like monasticism and self-chosen sanctity, is concerned with works. It is a new birth brought about by God’s Word and Spirit; there must be an entirely new man from the bottom of his heart. Then, however, when the heart is born anew in Christ, fruits will follow naturally, such as the confession of the Gospel, works of love, obedience, patience, chastity, etc.
Luther, M. (1999, c1961). Vol. 24: Luther's works, vol. 24 : Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 14-16 (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (Jn 15:6). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.
It is true, Christianity is not put on like a garment, it does not come about by some new manner of living, it is a new birth, a recreation. However, just as a man should wear men's clothing, a woman woman's clothing, and children children's clothing, the new man in Christ does put on the clothes of Christ.
As Mark Twain said, naked people, especially "naked" Christians, have little to no effect on society. So...GET DRESSED!!
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