Hughes column: Draped in robe of righteousness

”I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.” — Isaiah 61:10

What is it to be dressed in the clothing of salvation and a robe of righteousness?

When Jesus died on the cross, He took our sins on Himself. When we believe in Him, He wipes our slate clean. We are saved from our sins and given eternal life with Him. He clothes us in salvation.

We are draped in a robe of righteousness. When we believe, Christ changes our dirty rags for His righteousness. We are draped in a robe of righteousness.

Robes were worn by priests and believers are, according to Peter, a royal priesthood. We are taken into the family of the King of Kings. We are to be priests, teaching the gospel and making disciples.

Paul tells us in Colossians 3 that we must choose our clothing each day. Just as we go to our closet and choose what we will put on each day, we must choose certain things to wear spiritually.

We should remind ourselves daily to put them on. There are also things we do not wear anymore. They are our old dirty clothing. They are still lurking about, waiting for us to wear them again.

Paul says we are to have nothing to do with sexual immorality or evil desires. We are not to be greedy because the things of this world become idols. We are to get rid of anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of our mouth.

Leave these old rags behind and choose to put on the new clothing.

Colossians 3: 13-14 says, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

None of these come easy. We must remember to put them on everyday and trust in the Holy Spirit to help us wear them.

Our new clothing is compared to the clothing of a bridegroom and bride decked out for their wedding. They wear the most beautiful clothing and jewelry they can find. There are no finer clothing than that which Christ has provided for us. We should be overwhelmed with joy to be so clothed.

Here are my thoughts on the matter.

If I am standing in a crowd and a policeman is among us, I know immediately by what they are wearing who they represent. If a military person is there, I know immediately by what they are wearing who they represent.

So, when people are around me, do they know who I represent? Do my words and actions show to whom I belong? With all my heart, I want it to be so. I pray earnestly that the Holy Spirit would help me be that person.