By Brenda Groves
The Post Newspaper Contributing Writer
In a couple of months we will celebrate our son’s birthday. It’s hard to believe it has already been 35 years since he was born.
Aww, what parent can forget the moment you see your child for the first time. So small and vulnerable. And let’s face it, not always looking their best (lol) but instantly a God given love rises up within you. They are beautiful and precious in your sight!
When they handed our son to me all wrapped up in a warm blanket, he was sleeping so peacefully, so secure. Even though I didn’t know the Lord back then I remember deep down I knew this baby was a gift to us from God. And we would love him unconditionally! No matter what!
Well, I remember my Pastor speaking to us about how we (Christians) are instantly clothed in a “robe of righteousness” the moment we get born again.
(“…But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the BEST robe and put it on him…. for my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Luke 15:22,24)
Righteousness simply means right standing with God. In a sense, the minute you are born again in the spiritual realm, the Holy Spirit wrapped you in a robe of righteousness and presented you to your Heavenly Father. And He is well pleased with you.
Our pastor went on to teach us through the scriptures that when we quit depending on our own good works as a way to earn salvation and put all of our faith in sinless Jesus, in the spiritual realm we are clothed in His righteousness (right standing) before God. Not our own. (“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23)
After the fall of man Adam and Eve were found naked and afraid. They were always physically naked but they were unaware of it – they were relating to God (and each other) in their spirits with no sin (carnal nature) separating them, until they chose to be separated from God through rebellion.
But how did God respond? He made clothes out of animal skins for them. He made the first sacrifice.
Now, skip forward four thousand years to another sacrifice God made- His Son Jesus on the cross, the “Lamb of God,” a sinless Man (“God in the flesh”) taking upon Himself all of our sins, our unrighteousness, so we can be clothed once again in His righteousness.
You know, for the most part we (society) tend to judge people by appearance, whether they are clothed in rags or riches can make a difference in how we view them, or sadly, how they are treated. But in the spiritual realm, our physical appearance is not how God judges us.
No matter how wealthy we are, and well dressed, in His eyes we are still (by fallen nature), naked, vulnerable and afraid.
It is our hearts that God chooses to look upon.
So, when God sees His born again children, He sees perfection! He sees the Spirit of His Son inside you, crying out, “Abba, Father.” He’s not looking at your physical body or even your actions. (Stay with me here.)
The Bible says we MUST worship God in Spirit and in Truth. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, there is no other way to the Father but through Me.” Our wrong actions can open a door for Satan to steal, kill and destroy. Our choices can hurt us, physically, emotionally, financially, and affect relationships around us.
At times our children will make wrong decisions. When our son disobeyed his father and I, this did not please us, but we never stopped loving him for who he is … our son.
Likewise, God’s love for us is unconditional- it is not based on our right or wrong actions, it is based solely on His love for Jesus- It’s not a little bit of our good works plus Jesus that gives us right standing with God. Nope, your faith has to be solely based on what Jesus did for you on the cross, and receive it by grace…. or none at all. (“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9)
So, if you know Jesus, (not just heard about Him, but you know Him and have been born again), then you have a new nature inside you. You became “joint heirs with Christ” and you are wearing His robe of righteousness around you.
And in God’s kingdom, one size fits all.
Put on Christ today.
(Romans 8:15, Isaiah 41:10, 61:10, Job 29:14, Rev. 19:8 Titus 3:5, John 4:24,10:10; 14:6, Gen. 3:21, Psalm 132:9, 1 Sam. 16;7, . And I would encourage you to read the book of Romans and ask the Lord to reveal these truths because it is so far from what most religious backgrounds have taught us.)
Contact Brenda Groves at bkgroves1996@yahoo.com
