Enwrapped in a free gift. Covered in a robe of rightness, justice, and virtue.
In His delight, the Lord clothes a believer in a robe of spiritual refinement beyond compare, beautifying the soul with heavenly grace.
If we want to receive this gift, we cannot work to purchase it or work to keep it, no matter how hard we try. It cannot be rented; it cannot be put on lay-away. It cannot be tried on for a while and, then, taken off.
It is a forever gift and comes with a great price tag to the Purchaser: the blood of Jesus.
It was the custom of many countries in Jesus’ day to wear long, white robes at public festivals, weddings, and other occasions. Royalty and the wealthy provided wedding garments for those invited to a wedding. Noblemen also gave a garment to someone they wished to honor.
Refusing to accept or wear the gifted garment was not only the highest insult and deepest disrespect, but, in some countries, also worthy of punishment.
The robeless attendee to this wedding presumptuously entered in his own attire, in his own way, without the garment given him by the king and, therefore, he dishonored the king.
As Christ died to purchase our wedding garment, we cannot enter the heavenly wedding feast without it.
When this garment or robe is new and we first try it on, it may feel uncomfortable. It doesn’t seem to fit right. It’s scratchy like burlap. We may squirm beneath it or struggle to throw it off.
How do we wear this regal robe of righteousness…
* inside out?
* backwards?
* upside down?
* all rumpled and scrunched up?
* casually tied around our waist or over our shoulder?
What is our behavior beneath our robe? Do we use it to hide under while we misbehave, dragging our precious robe of beauty through the mud of disobedience? Crushed by Israel’s adulterous behavior and attitude, God said to them, ‟You dragged your beauty through the mud.” (Ezek. 16:25a GNT)
Paul reminds us, ‟Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” (Rom. 13:14 NLT)
When we relax in the robe’s perfect fit, we find it falls in luxurious folds of peace and joy around us.
Wherever we go and whatever we do, we need to remind ourselves we are clothed with Christ’s presence, His robe of holiness and righteousness, and we are to be “without a single spot or wrinkle or any other blemish, being holy and without a single fault.” (Eph. 5:27b TLB)
How are you wearing your precious robe? Are you keeping it clean?
*This post is a remix of the original My Robe is All Scrunched Up.
Hooking up with…
Soli deo Gloria Sisterhood
Laura Boggess
Purposeful Faith
Words of Life