This weekend our area was covered in this white, powdery, flake like thing – shout out to Moses’ writing in Exodus 16:14. Where they received manna, we in East Tennessee received snow from the heavens. The ground and roads covered made a tapestry of God’s purifying portrait. Some are excited to sled, others to make the first batch of snow cream (my wife and I are still debating whether or not this is the first snow of the year) and others dealing with traversing conditions to get to work. Whatever your lot be, we only need to pause and take a look at the visual portrait in front of us. God, sovereign in all things, has presented us with a masterpiece over the landscape. What was once a multitude of colors, even down to the dirtiest spot, is covered in snow. Scripture often relates snow to purity. We are reminded of what may be the most striking, hope-filled and praise generating statement about snow in scripture:
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” – Isaiah 1:18
This is not scarlet becoming less and less scarlet, this is a transformation of scarlet red to white! God says, “they SHALL be white.” This is the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His finished work.
Holiness is Not Earned, but Given
Holiness is often related to this color in scripture. What we need to notice is that the Bible consistently tells us that purity, this white light, comes from the Lord.
The gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus at the Transfiguration on the mountain was “radiating” intensely. What was the source? This was no bleach or laundry detergent to produce the bright white light. This radiance came from Christ Himself. God Himself the source of radiance and Holiness.
We are not commanded to put our scarlet sin stained robes into the proverbial washing machine, but to have them made white by the blood of the Lamb:
“They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” – Rev 7:14
The Saints of God in glory are clothed in white robes. This is what the Gospel does. Sin stained garments washed in Christ blood, become white. He clothes us in His righteousness, and takes our sin.
Perhaps CH Spurgeon said it best, “Our sin was black, but the blood of Jesus can make it whiter than snow.”
This isn’t self-stain removing, this is Christ’s righteousness credited to our account.
Purification in Christ Brings Security
If Christ has purified us, washed us in His blood, and adorned us in His robe of righteousness, then our standing before God is secure. We rely on His finished work of a perfect/sinless life, sacrificial – atoning and willing substitutionary death, justifying resurrection and glorious ascension. Paul would capture this security in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
JC Ryle would explain, “The holiest believer on earth is still clothed in Christ’s righteousness.”
What does this mean for the believer?
- We do not strive each day to wash ourselves clean for acceptance
- We do not lose our justification
- Our security rests in Christ’s obedience and finished work, not our’s.
The White Robe We Wear Changes How We Live
The grace that saves us also transforms us. Revelation 3:4 tells us that believers are transformed to a new walk of life because of Christ’s blood applied, “walk with me in white, for they are worthy.”
“Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.” – AW Tozer
We fight sin not to merit salvation, but because our desires align to be made more like Jesus. This is why we pursue a holy life, because we wear Christ’s righteousness. Paul would tell Timothy this in chapter 6 of 1 Timothy, “keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We all need this reminder. Seek to live a pure, blameless life, faithfully upholding God’s commands and the Gospel without being stained by the world and sin. We do this by communion with God, time in his Holy Word, seeking Him through prayer and living in fellowship with other believers.
Closing Thoughts
Living as one who adorns a robe of righteousness does not mean we will never sin. It does mean that when we do fall, and get dirty, we can wash again. It doesn’t mean Christ’s righteousness is removed, it means He continually is a fountain of grace for His own.
“ 7Butif we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Just like the prodigal son, we do not belong in the mud. When we repent, the Father runs to welcome us to His presence with open arms because of Christ. (Luke 15:11-32)
The gloriousness of Christ’s finished work is a reality for all those who place faith in Him. The Lord Jesus is not an improvement plan for sinners, but a wholesale change. From death to life – Cleansed, Clothed and Kept.
“14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates” – Rev 22:14