What are you wearing?

 

Are you wearing a fig leaf or a robe of righteousness. Seems like a strange question, doesn’t it? But it’s an important question.

In order to answer that question, we need to understand the significance of both.

You might recall that upon stepping into sin, Adam and Eve realized they were naked and grabbed some fig leaves to cover their shame.

“At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So, they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.” -Genesis 3:7

What about a robe of righteousness?

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”-Isaiah 61:10

God does not want us to adorn ourselves in fig leaves. God our Heavenly Father wants us to be able to wear a robe of righteousness, but many times we fall short of that ability.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God-Romans 3:23

If we recall the story of the Prodigal Son we might remember that this son ran off to spend all of his father’s inheritance before his father had even died. After he squandered all the money on less then righteous things, he came home with his head hung low, expecting most likely a tongue lashing from his father.

Instead, we see a very different scenario...

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast-Luke 15:22-23

Are you walking around wearing fig leaves? What does that even mean? Are you walking around with shame that you just can’t shake? Are you avoiding approaching your Heavenly Father because you think you too are in for a tongue lashing? That you're too far gone?

One of the enemies greatest tactics is to lead us to believe that we’re far too gone to ever go home. Far too gone to ever step in the direction of God. Far too gone to ever wear a righteous robe.

Look what this Prodigal Son would have missed if he was too afraid to go to his father with his shame. He would have never experienced the forgiving embrace of a father that loved and forgave him.

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. -Luke 15:20

Return home to your Heavenly Father. Fall into His embrace and allow Him to replace your fig leaf with a righteous robe. There is nothing that you cannot bring to Him. He simply wants you to come home.

If you feel far away from the Lord, search your heart and see if shame is the issue. Too many times we allow our own condemnation to block Gods forgiving embrace. Is there something you’ve done or said that is putting distance between you and God? Be honest with yourself and Him. Bring Him your repentant heart. He wants to cleanse you and cloth you.

Return home and leave your fig leaves at the door. Your Heavenly Father has a robe…..just for you.

 

-Pastor Patti