Naked And Ashamed

As a Christian woman, I would never think of wearing short shorts or any apparel for that matter that insufficiently covered my body. In the same manner, I would never consider leaving my soul insufficiently covered or naked. What do I mean? Physical nakedness has always stood as a symbol of shame (Genesis 9:23; Samuel 10:4). I imagine all of us at one time or another, even as early teens, had a sense of modesty and didn't want anyone to see us naked. Why is that? Because we are born in purity of mind and with innate qualities of morality. As we grow older, these values erode and become tainted by the immorality of the world. If physical nakedness is a shame, how much more should we be embarrassed about the spiritual nakedness of our souls? People don't seem concerned. Why? Is it that others cannot see how we neglect our own souls or the ugliness of sin we hide there? God can.

The church at Laodicea thought they were spiritually rich and "clothed" (safe from judgment), but our Lord said, "and know not that you are wretched (desolate), miserable (unhappy), poor (needy), blind (unperceptive), and naked (spiritually uncovered)" (Revelation 3:17). He counsels them to purchase "white raiment that you may be clothed" (Revelation 3:18). More on this in a minute. It is possible to think that you are sufficiently clothed spiritually yet have no clue you are naked and the shame of your unrighteousness is laid bare before the eyes of God. Nothing is hidden from God's eyes. In fact, "all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:13; Psalm 90:8). Thanks to Jesus, there is a remedy for spiritual nakedness. It is clothing the soul by HIS righteousness. What does it involve? It involves the purity of character or "white raiment" (same as being "clothed in white" - as Jesus describes it), LOVE for God (1 John 4:16-21), and complete submission to HIS will (Matthew 7:21). Jesus was totally submissive to His Father's will even in the face of death- "not my will but Thine be done" - and so should we be -- that we do not appear naked and ashamed before God on the day of judgment (2 Corinthians 5:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

In the parable of the marriage feast, located in Matthew 22:1-14, we see one man in attendance that did not have on the proper wedding garment (Matthew 22:11), he was not "clothed" properly even though he knew that he should have come prepared by wearing one (verse 12). Jesus is telling us something very important here. That is this, spiritually speaking, without the proper wedding garment the man was considered NAKED (2 Corinthians 5:3; Revelation 3:18; Revelation 7:13-14) ** it would advisable that you look these up sometime today.** The man was invited to the marriage feast, just as you, me, and the entire world are invited to come. However, just as with a black-tie event here, you may not attend a black-tie event unless you are dressed appropriately! You might arrive at the door but you'll be denied entrance. With that in mind, spiritually speaking, what kind of wedding garment should the man have had on so he could enter? Scripture says a white wedding garment (Revelation 7:9-13), same as "white raiment" mentioned in Revelation 3:18 which is made white by the blood of the Lamb- Jesus sacrifice on the cross for sin (Revelation 7:13-14; Revelation 1:5-6.) This is all symbolic language of course. Your covering (garment) can only be made "white" (spotless, sinless) by the Blood of Jesus (accepting and believing His atonement for your sin by His sacrifice on the cross.) How do you acquire it and how can you put it on?

We can only acquire this white wedding garment (a symbol of purity and holiness) by being "clothed" with Christ. Another way of saying it is when we are "clothed" with Christ ... we "put on" Christ. We "put on" Christ when we are baptized "into Christ" (Galatians 3:27). Then, when we "put on" Christ in baptism, we immediately become "clothed" with the proper wedding garment (Revelation 19:5-8). Without Jesus, there is no hope. Wearing a cross around your neck, going to church on Sundays, or believing you're a Christian because you consider yourself mostly good is not the proper "garment" to attend the wedding supper of Jesus Christ. You'll be stopped at the door! When Christ (the bridegroom) comes again to receive His holy Bride (His faithful believers- see Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 21:1-2,9; 2 Corinthians 11:1-2), and all the members who were invited, they MUST BE CLOTHED IN "white raiment" according to Revelation 3:18 or they will be considered spiritually "naked" and thus be ashamed before the King (Christ). Notice in the scriptural parable I gave, EVERYONE was invited to the marriage feast (refer to Matthew 22:1-10) even though some refused to come (find that in Matthew 22:1-3). That's the world today! Spiritually speaking, every last person on earth is invited to the marriage feast THROUGH THE GOSPEL CALL (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Revelation 22:17) but even so, many will refuse to come (Matthew 22:14; Acts13: 44-46). One of the most poignant verses in the Bible is this, "For the message of the cross, (which is that Jesus died for you for the remission of sins) is foolishness TO THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING, but to us who are being saved (the believers) it is the power of God" (1Corinthians 1:18)-emphasis mine. How many times have you ever approached a family member, friend, or even a stranger with the message of the gospel and that person thought it foolish or you foolish for believing "such garbage"? Those people are perishing!

Finally, it is God's desire that every person come to the saving gospel of Christ (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4), thus being clothed in the appropriate wedding garment (Galatians 3:27) in preparation for the marriage feast of the LAMB (Jesus) and His Bride (the church body of believers) (Revelation 21:2; verse 9-10). Are you ready to attend the marriage feast of the Lamb [Christ] and His bride (the church – Ephesians 5:25-32)? When the bridegroom [Christ] comes, only those who are “ready” (Matthew 25:10) will be allowed entrance into the marriage ceremony. All others will be rejected (Matthew 25:11-12).
If you have not already “clothed” yourself with the proper wedding garment, won’t you seriously consider doing that today? (2 Corinthians 6:2). Clothe yourself with Christ (Gal. 3:27), so you won’t be found “naked” or “ashamed” (2 Corinthians 5:3; Revelation 3:18) when the Bridegroom [Christ] returns to receive and rapture His bride; the church (Matthew 25:10; Revelation 21:1-2,9). Naked or clothed — ashamed or not ashamed. It’s our choice (Joshua 24:14-15). "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame" (Revelation 16:15 KJV) Here it is in the NIV "Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed."
Until next time,
-Pat-