White Garments
“...and your name not erased from the Book of
Life”
By Jon W. Quinn
“He who overcomes shall thus be clothed in white garments; and
I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name
before My Father, and before His angels.” (Revelation 3:5)
When it comes to pleasing God with our lives,
those who failed did so for a reason. Those that succeeded did so for a
reason. Success or failure do not happen in a vacuum. Neither “just happens.”
The problems are often caused by a lack of dedication or love as some try to
simply do as little as possible. Others simply put off needful changes or
obligations. Sometimes it is a matter of ego. Some have failed because they
have allowed themselves to be deceived by others into believing something
false. Some have simply not taken the time to prepare for a successful life of
true faith.
Jesus makes seven promises, beginning each with the words: “To him who
overcomes I will…”. We seek to understand what Jesus is picturing for us as He
uses various descriptions of the blessings for those who overcome. We will now
look at the fifth of seven such statements.
The White Garments
Another thing Adam and Eve lost in Eden besides the tree of life was their
sense of pure, guiltless joy; a sense that everything was just right. No
shame, no doubt, no hurt, no sorrow, no sin.
The best of us today cannot begin to compare to the purity of perfect
sinlessness. We simply do not know what it is to have perfection. Our souls
are not pure, and are constantly threatened. The best we can do at this time
is reach for perfection and purify ourselves by repentance, and confessing our
sins when we fall short. Through the grace and mercy of God, this life is a
purification process for those who live by faith.
Coming to God involves a conscious and sure effort to overcome sin (James
4:8). God's grace is given so that we can overcome sin, not so that we may
remain in it. (Titus 2:11-14). Our goal is to seek higher moral and spiritual
ground each day. We put away bad habits and the daily flirtation with sin; our
daily lives become typically more righteous by habitual practice. Sinning is
no longer the habit, but the exception, and when we fall short we take
advantage of God's grace and mercy (1 John 1:5-10). All the while, our goal is
not to settle for any sin (1 John 2:1; Romans 6:1,2; Hebrews 10:26). Our hope
of eternal life motivates us to grow in our righteousness (1 John 3:1,2).
Jesus promises that those that overcome in this life will be arrayed in white
garments. The word “arrayed” means “to throw around, to put round, to clothe”
. While our purity is at best imperfect in this life, if we will overcome by
God's grace He promises that we will be clothed with a perfect righteous
purity and glory in heaven, and that state is symbolized by the wearing of
white garments. It does not take perfection here to reach that spiritual,
eternal state, but it does take reaching for perfection (Philippians 3:12-14).
If we will do the pressing on, the reaching…. God will supply all that is
necessary by His grace and power.
Understand what a gracious and wonderful invitation is given to us sinners by
God ( Isaiah 1:18). Also understand what a foolish thing it is to ignore it!
It is by the sacrifice of Jesus that we enjoy this hope (Revelation 7:9, 14).
The sin and guilt gone, forever.
Book of Life
The phrase “Book of Life” occurs seven times in the New Testament. It is a
register of those who are the citizens of heaven; those who are spiritually
alive in Jesus. They are disciples; faithful Christians; workers in the
kingdom (Philippians 4:3). Whether this is a literal book or merely
illustrative of the mind of God, the point is the same.
Those who reject God and live worshipping at the feet of Satan are not in the
book (Revelation 13:8). On the day of judgment, this book will be opened, and
you need to have your name written there (Revelation 20:12; 15; 21:27). We
also read of the book of life (remembrance) in the Old Testament (Malachi
3:16-18).
One's name can be blotted out of the book. To avoid this, we must walk
faithfully (Revelation 3:4,5). Yes, one can have his/her name removed from the
book through turning back to sin.
“ I Will Confess His Name”
Jesus promises to speak to the Father in behalf of the faithful. The faithful
will confess Jesus today. They will not deny Him for money, for fear, out of
neglect, or for any other reason (Matthew 10:32,33).
We must not be ashamed of Jesus or His gospel (Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 1:7-10;
2:12). On the day of judgment, We want Jesus as our friend and advocate. (John
14:6; Romans 8:34). But we must be willing to confess Jesus by our words and
deeds in this life to receive His support in that hour.
Conclusion
Paul said, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Jesus has
shown us the way. But this is not something to be casual about. Overcoming by
faith means being steadfast, diligent and dedicated. It is to those who
overcome that Jesus promises access to the tree of life and that the second
death will not hurt them. He also promises hidden manna and a white stone. And
He promises authority over the nations, and the morning star. He promises
white garments to those who's names remain in the book of life and that He
will speak for us in that final hour when no other friend will do. What
wonderful hope these things symbolize!
From The Bradley Banner 4/18/2010
Published by the Bradley Church of Christ
1505 E. Broadway
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