'How To' Instructions in Righteousness

Lesson 12: Put on the garment of Righteousness

Key verse:  Matt 22:11-14
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  For many are called, but few are chosen.

Matthew 22:1-14 is a Kingdom parable.  Kingdom parables speak to and describe those who will gain and those who will lose the Kingdom of God [eternal life].  In these key verses [11-14], the reference to one being cast into outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth is indisputably speaking of the lake of fire or eternal death or loss of salvation.  So what is the wedding garment?  Notice the following commentary and accompanying scripture.


Matt 22:1-11

 Wedding garment. Because absence of this garment excluded the man from the feast, we conclude that the garment represents an absolute requirement for entrance to the Kingdom. Thus it represents the robe of imputed righteousness that God graciously provides to man through faith (Isa 61:10). The custom of kings in providing suitable garments when granting interviews appears to be assumed here, since the culprit is held responsible for his lack, and persons gathered from the highways may not have had proper raiment even if they had had time to clothe themselves. --(from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary)

 

Isa 61:10—the verse alluded to in the commentary

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Job 29:14

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem [sign of royalty].

 

Ps 132:9

Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

 

Isa 52:1

Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

 

Rom 3:22-24

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

 

Rom 13:14

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

 

Rom 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

 

Gal 3:27

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

 

Phil 3:9

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

It is clear from these verses that the garment is Christ or the righteousness of Christ and/or of God and is made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit in us.  If we are in the Salvation Process and following all these instructions in Righteousness, we are wearing this garment.  We have put on Christ.

Lesson 12: Instructions – Put on the garment of Righteousness
  
 1) Stay in the Salvation Process, as this is the only place of righteousness.
 2) Know that the garment of righteousness is Christ and possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
 3) Put on Christ.

back to Lesson 12