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Monday, July 26,
2010
Dress Code
1 Corinthians 15:53-54 For this
corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality. (54) So, when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to
pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (KJV)
Did you know that there is a dress code
in order for you to gain your eternal access into the God’s kingdom? In
order to gain access into this Spiritual kingdom then one would need to be
clothed in a Spiritual robe as well. It is not until this mortal, meaning liable
to death, is able to put on immortality, or this corruptible body is
replaced with an incorruptible one that you will receive the reward of
eternal life. Until that time we are still subject to death; one separates
us from our physical body, the second death would separate us from the body
of Christ and result in eternal separation from God. So watch and pray
always, because it is only those that endure to the end that are going to
receive this reward, while the rest will be like Adam who realized that
they could not hide their sin from God, and were naked and exposed for who
they really were.
Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any
creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and
opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (KJV)
God looks at the thoughts and intents of
the heart; so have you properly dressed yourself with a Spiritual covering,
or will you be charged with indecent exposure?
Isaiah 61:10 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. (KJV)
Think about the first thing that you do
when waking up; you dress yourself and prepare for the day. The Bible says
to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness then all that is
needed will be added unto us. Are we as diligent with our Spiritual
clothing as we are with the outward covering? You wouldn’t dare walk out of
the house unclothed physically, that would be lewd and unlawful and one
would be subject to prosecution, so why would you do it Spiritually?
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean
thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade
as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (KJV)
Ever heard the term self righteous? So
has the Lord; and the word of God is clear on how far our own righteousness
will get us, and how disgusting it is in the sight of the Lord. Basically
speaking, by trying to achieve salvation our own way we are telling the
Lord that He didn’t do a good enough job, and that we know better. Without
faith it is impossible to please God; faith, my ability to hear the message
delivered by Christ, and to operate in His righteousness.
Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the
promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until
ye be endued with power from on high. (KJV)
The definition for endued refers to being
clothed with a garment, which if coming from on high would be referring to
a Spiritual covering. So are you covered this day, or are you exposed to
the elements?
Matthew 22:11-13 And when the king came
in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding
garment: (12) And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not
having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. (13) Then said the king to
the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into
outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (KJV)
Here’s a classic example of someone that
tried to do things their own way, trying to find a different way into the kingdom
of God. He didn’t have much of an answer when it came time to give an
account of himself and his apparel. We have all been invited to this
wedding feast as well, so time to get dressed and don’t be late.
Zephaniah 1:7-8 Hold thy peace at the
presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD
hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. (8) And it shall come to
pass in the day of the LORD's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes,
and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel. (KJV)
Have you noticed over the years how
fashions change with the times? Dress codes that man would have considered
an abomination years ago are now acceptable and the norm. And if you notice
over the years, the coverings have gotten smaller, leaving more and more
exposed. The same holds true with many doctrines of man, they change as
well with the times; and rather than covering the lower nature with a robe
of righteousness they leave more and more of the truth out, exposing
themselves for who they really are.
2 Corinthians 5:1-4 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) For in this
we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is
from heaven: (3) If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. (4)
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. (KJV)
You need to realize that what is
appropriate in God’s sight is not the same as what man considers
appropriate. God covers us completely, spirit, soul and body, while man
just tries to cover his backside, which the Bible says we are to be the
head and not the tail.
Revelation 3:5-6 He that overcometh, the
same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name
out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and
before his angels. (6) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches. (KJV)
Are you listening Church, and do you take
the message of our Lord seriously? We need to be overcomers not
underachievers in order to gain access to our inheritance. When a name is
blotted out, which means to erase, it means at one time it was actually a
part of the book of life. So is your name still on the guest list, and do
you check it on a daily basis to make sure your invitation is still intact?
Remember, only those that are a part of the family and dressed for the
occasion will be allowed into the wedding feast of the Lamb.
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