STRIVE TO BE CLOTHED IN WHITE GARMENT!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY DECEMBER 29, 2023.

SUBJECT: STRIVE TO BE CLOTHED IN WHITE GARMENT!

Memory verse: "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the book of life; but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels.” (Revelation 3 vs 5.)

READ: Matthew 10 vs 32 - 33; Luke 12 vs 8 - 9:

Matthew 10:32: Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 

But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Luke 12:8: Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God:

12:9: But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

INTIMATION:

To be “clothed in white garment” means to be set apart for God and made pure. Those who are set apart for God and made pure are those who stand firm in their faith. Christ promises future honor and eternal life to such people. All such people are guaranteed a listing in the ‘Book of Life’ and are introduced to the hosts of heaven as belonging to Christ. Their names are registered in the ‘Book of Life,’ and the book symbolizes God’s knowledge of who belongs to Him. 

As a country has their records of who are their citizens, so do God has the records of those who have been enlisted as citizens of heaven. God does not have to write down the names of the saved in order to remember, He knows those who is His. Those who claim Christ will be claimed by Jesus as His brethren.

The Christian confession is more than words that often give only lip service to God. It requires the commitment of one’s life by sacrificial living. Believers or disciples must offer a living confession before all people whom they live with. Those who are ashamed of letting their spiritual light shine before men as a result of Jesus living in their hearts are certainly not worthy subjects of an eternal dwelling in the presence of God.

At the judgement, the books will be opened. The ‘Book of Life’ contains the names of those who have put their trust in Christ to save them. These books also contain the recorded deeds of everyone; good or evil. Everyone’s life will be reviewed and evaluated. No one is saved by deeds, but deeds are seen as clear evidence of a person’s actual relationship with God. Jesus will look at how we have handled gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities. God’s gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience and service. Each of us must serve Christ in the best way we know and live each day knowing the books will one day be opened.

Anyone who confesses Jesus Christ (that is, publicly acknowledges faith in, or declares allegiance to Him) will be acknowledged by Christ before His Father in heaven. Jesus’ followers would face earthly courts of law where they would have to publicly claim to belong to Jesus Christ, usually at their peril. Genuine discipleship always involved acknowledging Jesus Christ, whether or not we face pressure and persecution. We acknowledge Him when we (1) live moral, upright, Christ-honoring lives, (2) look for opportunities to share our faith with others, (3) help others in need, (4) take a stand for justice, (5) love others, (6) acknowledge our loyalty to Christ, and (7) use our lives and resources to carry out His desires rather than our own.

By contrast, we deny Jesus when we (1) hope no one will find out we are Christians, (2) decide not to speak up for what is right, (3) are silent about our relationship with God, (4) blend into society, and (5) accept our culture’s non-Christian values. One denies Jesus by not living according to the standards of the One after whom he calls himself. We can reject Jesus now and be rejected by Him at His second coming, or we can accept Him now and be accepted by Him then. Rejecting Jesus may help us escape shame for the time being, but it will guarantee an eternity of shame later.

For those who strive to be clothed in white garment, they cannot imagine all that God has in store for them, both in this life and for eternity. The Scripture says, “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of Man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” He will create a new heaven and a new earth, and they will live there with Him forever. Until then, His Holy Spirit comforts and guides them. Knowing the wonderful and eternal future that awaits them gives them hope and courage to press on in this life, to endure hardship, and to avoid giving in to temptation. This life is not all there is, the best is yet to come. 

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to lead a life of complete trust in, and obedience to You as I strive to be clothed in white garments, and live with You forever with You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!