Clothed

They say hindsight is 20/20. For a Believer saved by grace, given to us by our Lord, Christ Jesus of Nazareth, our foresight should be 20/20.

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." -- 2 Corinthians 4:18

We know when all is said and done that this time, this earth we live upon, is but a blot in the face of eternity.

"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" -- 2 Corinthians 5:1

The question becomes for every single one who claims to profess Christ and Him crucified...will you be clothed?

"For 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" -- 2 Corinthians 5:2-3

Truly this is a question to consider, in this day, time and society of Christian churches. Will you be clothed? Or will you be shamed with your nakedness before Christ? This question is one of grave seriousness. It affects EVERY Believer/Christian proclaiming, professing and confessing Christ, as they stand before Him, unlike the judgement of the unbeliever who outright reject Christ. Yes, this question is directed at the Church, the Body of Christ (Spiritual) and those who claim to follow the teachings (doctrine) of Christ.

"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." -- Revelation 3:17-19

These are the words of Christ to His Church. Obviously the word clothed is a symbolic term. Every Believer/Christian should understand the symbolism of being clothed before Him, but for the sake of clarity and understanding. Let's go over what the term "clothed" symbolizes in the Word.

When one isn't literally clothed, they are naked, exposed. The truth of of their imperfections are laid bare. That girdle that held in that voluminous tummy is gone and the truth of that midsection is revealed.

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." -- Isaiah 61:10

Returning to the 2nd book of Corinthians 5:4 reiterates Isaiah 61:10:

"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." ("garments of salvation")

Both authors reference the desire of life eternal with Christ. Both authors express earnest joy, passion and foresight towards the day we stand before Him. Most importantly both authors express the confidence that they will BE clothed, found righteous, in His sight. Can you express that same confidence??

"Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." -- 2 Corinthians 5: 5-8

Figuratively speaking, how are we clothed with righteousness? How can do we obtain the garments of salvation?

"And he (God) brought him (Abraham) forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

And he (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and he (God) counted it to him for righteousness". -- Genesis 15: 5-6

"Who against hope believed in hope, that he (Abraham) might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." -- Romans 4: 18-25

Will you be clothed? Are you a heir of Abraham by Faith? Do you "walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham" ? Romans 4:12-13 Here's the rub...good "works", church attendance, or even Bible studying isn't going to keep you from appearing naked before him. God is an examiner of hearts and He already knows what lies in yours. Hebrews 4:12 Outside of faith, He cannot be pleased.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." -- Hebrews 11:6

Maybe you're confused by the glut of churches and doctrines available, it is all the more reason why you should seek Him directly, seek Him earnestly, and seek Him passionately! Answers will not be found in the wisdom of man, because only the things of God can be discerned by Him. 1 Corinthians 1:13-14

Are you willing to bet an eternity upon a doctrine of traditions or religious affiliations?? I should hope not. I PRAY not.

"Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him." -- 2 Corinthians 5:9