ABSENCE OF HOLINESS (Part V)

God's focus was not changed when He instituted the New Covenant. The difference is the emphasis is now more on how we clothe the inner man (spiritual clothing), rather than our outward apparel. We are to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14 - See also Galatians 3:27). "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another..." (1 Peter 5:5 B). In Revelation 19:8 we are clothed "...in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." We all had a part in the crucifixion of Jesus because we have all sinned, but we are not like the soldiers who cast lots for His clothing. Jesus himself clothes us in His righteousness. "I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness..." (Isaiah 61:10).

I love the way verse 10 ends: "As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." The garland was a symbol of victory and honor. Jesus was victorious over sin. Because of His victory He imputes to us His garland of righteousness, which is perfect and beautiful. We have a part in celebrating His victory. Peter tells us to “honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17). Christ clothes us in His righteousness.

What I’m about to say next, at first blush, may appear sacrilegious. If we are to be imitators of Christ, shouldn’t we clothe Him as well. If Christ clothed us, shouldn't we clothe Him? I’m not in any way suggesting that the King of Kings needs our help in His appearance. Our part is to “clothe” Him with honor. We are to honor Him in everything we say and do. If we clothe Christ with honor, the question is raised, "How are we doing? Is He poorly dressed in the world’s eyes because we honor Him lightly? Or is He resplendent with glory because we honor Him greatly?"

How do we honor Him greatly, you ask? We, as His bride, adorn ourselves with jewels. The really wonderful news is He provides us with those jewels. Some of those jewels are referred to as the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." The apostle James mentions more jewels in James 3:17: "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."

Please allow me one more example of how we clothe Christ with honor. These words are spoken by Jesus Himself when we stand before Him on judgement day. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:34-40, NIV)

I have suggested that we have a part in clothing Christ in honor and beauty. What follows next, in Part VI, is my conviction that the “Church” has, to all intents and purposes, become its own worst enemy. We have fallen prey to the lies of the enemy and have sullied the glorious garments of our great God and King, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by the way we live.