"The Fashion of the Christ"

Yesterday David Alan Black gave us a new look a God's offer of salvation through the work of Jesus Christ. It is all worth repeating in its entirety, so I will do so here.

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The Fashion of the Christ

David
Alan Black

People begged just to touch the hem of Jesus’
garment. When they touched it, they were made well.

In Jesus’ day, the hem of one’s garment was highly
significant. It was often interwoven with tassels. These tassels
were not for decoration. They reminded the wearer of God’s commandments.
Numbers 15:13-41 states:

Again the LORD spoke to
Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels
on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put
a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. And you shall have the
tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the
LORD and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your
own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do
all My commandments, and be holy for your God. I am the LORD your God, who
brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your
God.”

Likewise, in the book of Colossians we are told what
garments to put off, since in Christ we have died to the old man, and what
clothing to put on, in view of the fact that we are new creatures in
Christ and are being renewed in righteousness after the image of Himself.
Again, in Isaiah 64:6 we are told that all of our righteousnesses are as
filthy rags, by which is meant that no matter how righteous we may think
we are, before God we are adorned in filth. It is only as we “put on the
Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 13:14) that we can be clothed in garments clean
and white.

Just as a horseman puts on a riding habit, so the
Christian is to put on Christian habits. Our character is to be adorned
with the clothing of the new man in Christ. Christian song writers
throughout the centuries have recognized this wonderful truth. Edward Mote
noted: “When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be
found, Dressed in His Righteousness alone, faultless to stand
before the throne.” Charles Wesley wrote: “No condemnation now I dread,
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine! Alive in him, my living head, And
clothed in righteousness divine.” And in the classic hymn Rock of
Ages, Augustus Toplady prayed: “Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to
Thy cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress, Helpless, look to
Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly, Wash me, Savior, or I die!”

A popular saying goes, “Clothing makes the man.” This
is a biblical truth. While obedience to the commandments of God cannot
bring salvation, those who are saved ought to live in a manner worthy of
their salvation. The way to holiness is the same as the way to salvation –
not through self-effort, but by the virtue and in the power of the blood
of Christ and His resurrection life.

Oh to touch the hem of His garment and be healed!

May 20, 2005

David Alan Black is the editor of
http://www.daveblackonline.com/.
If you would like to know more about becoming a follower of King Jesus,
please feel free to write Dave.