I remember one evening I was talking with a friend who had just been pissed by someone else. While we stood, she was going over the entire offense with me and then she said “… she’s lucky I am wearing my garment of righteousness now else we for fight here. But if the annoyance was too much, I would have removed it, fought with her and then flap my garment of righteousness and wear it back.”
We had a really good laugh over the ‘garment of righteousness’ illustration and it has never left my mind since then as I jokingly reference back to it sometimes.
A few days ago, however, I looked at it from another angle— that is outside of the joke aspect. After pondering upon it for a while, the joke lost all humor.
I have come across some believers— myself inclusive— who sometimes takes off the ‘garment of righteousness’ with the notion that we could always flap it and put it back on like nothing happened. “It’s that easy and besides God is merciful enough, right?”
“So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not!” Romans 6:1 (MSG).
Yes, His grace and forgiveness are in abundance, but if you really desire growth in Him, then you must intentionally make a habit of wearing your garment of righteousness at all times.
What does taking off your ‘garment of righteousness’ really prove at the end?
Righteousness is not just restricted to the things you do— or don’t do—, but also the things you say and the contents of your heart. How often do you strip yourself off righteousness due to one careless thought? It’s like taking off all your clothes in the market because it’s a hot, sunny day. Remember, everyone feels the heat (faces temptation), but yielding to those temptations leads to ultimate shame and destruction.
When next you are tempted to prove a vile point, remember that you are wearing the garment of righteousness and the world is watching. The world is a huge marketplace after all.
While no literal ‘garment of righteousness’ exists, still make conscious efforts daily to adorn yourself in love, holiness and godliness— just as you would physically adorn yourself.
Sending love and light your way.
Cheers to steady growth,
Zoey.
Zoey 