Over the years, we have mentioned being clothed in/with His righteousness when we repent and are water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38-41) The idea of being clothed is a thread that runs from the old to the new, and offers hope to those who believe in the Lord and His goodness and grace. Indeed, we should be in awe of His love and kindness that would lead God to become our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16)
But similar to right and wrong, light and darkness, we choose how we desire to be clothed. For example, we can be clothed in humility, where in we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is in heaven, or conversely, clothed with shame and dishonour -- particularly in those who magnify themselves against our Lord. In the former, believers understand that this same Jesus whom ye/we have crucified in our hearts (before we come to Him) is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
And in Him, we are clothed with His righteousness. In Him, we stand and feed in the strength of the Lord and in the majesty of the Name of the Lord. Our hearts desiring to abide in Him -- the One who redeemed us from eternal damnation.
As Jesus said, "I AM the Bread of Life!"
As Jesus said, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6)
When we have seen Jesus, we have seen the Father, and also know Him. (John 14:6-12) He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11) And this same ONE LORD reigns forevermore -- Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending, the King of kings, the Lord of lords. (Revelation 1:8)
Further, it is "in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven; if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life." (II Corinthians 5:2-4)
Why is this critical?
For "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all." (I Chronicles 29:11)
His Name in this current dispensation of grace? JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
As Jesus said, "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples." (John 15:6-10)
This explains why believers rejoice. This is why we also should remain continually in awe of His majesty -- for what is man that the Lord God of heaven would give so much attention? But from the very beginning (and as the scripture saith, even before the Spirit of the Lord moved upon the face of the waters) He had a plan for our redemption, for those who desire more of Him in their hearts, souls, minds and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31)
Herein too, is why we who believe desire to continually "bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty." (Psalm 104:1) This is the reason we shout for joy, they also sing. (Psalm 65:13) For we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people who show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness and into His marvellous light. (I Peter 2:9)
Stand in the offering plate.
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