In the beginning . . . that is where it all starts. The author of Genesis tells us that God created as His act of stewardship. In the beginning it was formless and void, but God in His wisdom, clothed it with all that was needed. And yes, He made man in His own image. Prior to sin, we were perfect and clothed in the image of God. Sin changed everything . . . except God’s love! God’s love supersedes all things. His love (agape) continues to shower His creation with everything necessary for its sustenance.
Let us take a look as Psalm 104 which concentrates on God and His creating nature. In my book, Reflection: Journey through the Psalms, chapter 104 is entitled “The Majesty of Creation.” The psalmist not only describes creation but His work of maintaining his creation. The author begins with an acknowledgment of God and His greatness. Listen! “Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment.” (emphasis added) The psalm lists God’s creating examples and how he provides for them so that they too can praise their Creator. So as water sustains His creation, the water also washes us clean as the Holy Spirit clothes us in righteousness. Our Lord was quick to provide Adam and Eve clothing to cover their nakedness, not just physical nakedness but a separation from God himself. The first evangel (Gen 3:15) precedes God making garments for Adam and Eve. Yes, the gospel was the first clothing for Adam and Eve. God, in His unsearchable love, provided a way out. A Messiah would restore our relationship with the Creator.
The prophet Isaiah also tells us that God has clothed us. Chapter 61:10 says, “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.” The author continues to give us a picture of the Messiah and His bride, the Church. Just as God suggested in Genesis, God has provided us righteous clothing made possible by the blood of the Lamb. The picture language in the words, “robe of righteousness,” is awe-inspiring. A robe is royal and worthy of kings and other royals. But in God’s world, His faithful are worthy of the robe of righteousness thanks to the Holy Spirit who has planted and watered to reap a harvest – i.e. faith in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
The New Testament continues to talk about being clothed. St. Paul in his many epistles reminds his readers that we are clothed in Christ. What does that mean? Let us first look at his second letter to the church at Corinth. We read, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (5:21) First we see that it was the Father’s will that His Son come into the world. Second, we are once again reminded that He was perfect, unblemished, or stained by sin. But . . . in God’s great wisdom, He made Him lower than the angels (human) to carry our burden of sin that has hindered us and caused a chasm between God and our sinful condition. In essence, God made a clothing trade. His perfection for our sin. Clothed with the sin of the world, Christ was sacrificed on Calvary’s cross. The result is that we are reconciled to God!
St. Paul made multiple missionary journeys in which he reached many for the Good News of Jesus Christ – both Jew and Greek (Gentile); slave or free – it made no difference, for God wants all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth. In his epistle to the church in Galatia (modern day Turkey), he writes, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (3:26) Galatians has been called, “The Christian Magna Carta.” Yes, that great charter of freedom that saves us from the law’s condemnation. The gospel frees us! And through faith, we are clothed with Christ. The simple washing of Holy Baptism brings faith in Christ through the gift of His Spirit.
Elsewhere St. Paul provides us examples of how we are to act as the righteous of God (clothed). As redeemed ones, Romans 13:14 reminds us that we are not to think about how to gratify our sinful human nature, rather focus on God’s righteousness. Continuing in that theme, Colossians 3:12 provides us a list of suggestions of how we as “clothed” are to act. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and deeply loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (emphasis added) Yes, Christ perfectly exhibited all these examples. As we “put on or clothe” ourselves with these virtues, we can then bind them all together in LOVE. This epistle reminds the church at Colossae that the world’s teaching is null and void. Rather, pay attention to the truths of God and His plan of salvation in Christ.
Finally, St. Peter also gives church leaders exhortation especially to the elderly. Listen, “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (1 Peter 5:5) Yes, when the world’s pressures tend to overwhelm us, St. Peter reminds us that we should throw off our cares on Him for He cares for us. Amen.
Listen now to St. John’s Revelation in the concluding chapters. “Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Revelation 19:7-8) Yes, the church (bride of Christ) is clothed in fine linen representing His perfect righteousness.
Peace
Connected in Him, I stand
GHR
