The scripture spoke extensively in the chapter 28 of Exodus about the garments of the priest. God clearly described the garments that should be designed for the priest. “And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.” (Exodus 28:4-5) “And for Aaron’s sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.” (Exodus 28:40) In our days, in some churches, the priests arrayed themselves with cassocks, surplices and other paraphernalia of priestly garments.
The priest garment is okay according to the word of God but it is the portrait of what our spiritual outfit should be. The beautiful garments of the priests in the old testament that was holy so that it may reflect the intended purpose of “beauty and glory” of God. The priest that were arrayed with the holy garment were serving in the temple of God. In the same vein, the garment of believers, our characters, and our demeanor should denote the beauty and glory of God because we are peculiar treasure of God and we are also a kingdom of priest and a holy nations. “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5-6) As ambassadors of Christ, we have various responsibilities in the vineyard of Christ. We are therefore, expected to show forth the garment of our ambassadorial calling in righteousness, in kindness, and in holiness. We are to demonstrate that brilliant light of the glory of God with heart of integrity in the work of our hands and in our general conducts. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
In addition to this admonition above, the scripture admonished us to clad ourselves with the spiritual armour of God in order to be able to fight the on-going spiritual war. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12) Preparation matters in a successful and fruitful business. This is suggesting that there is spiritual war to fight and that we must be battle ready in order to be victorious.
The Pauline writer described the believer’s spiritual outfits with the portrait of Roman soldier. Ephesians chapter 6:14-17 says, “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:14-17) The whole armour of believers are listed in the above passage and it includes, truth and integrity of heart which should be the believer’s girdle, and our breastplate should be our righteousness. Our feet should be strongly cladded, ready to walk swiftly with the gospel of peace. Faith should be our shield against the fiery darts of the wicked and we should put on the helmet of salvation and finally our sword is the word of God. because we cannot afford to be spiritually ignorant in this deceptive wicked world.
Being battle ready and fired up to face any battle according to the admonition of Paul, is not suggesting that we are to depend on our physical strength. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) We should prayerfully depend on God and follow the guidance of Holy Spirit. That is why the scripture tells us in (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
You will now realize that you are serving the Living God under His watchful eyes. Our Christlike characters must fit in to the standard of an acceptable life for His glory. Since we know that we are not alone in our spiritual journey on earth, we must honor the commandment of our Mighty Captain and humbly put on the whole armor of God as stated above in order to be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. We must be well dressed in the spiritual outfit if we sincerely want to win this battle. We will surely be victorious if we can humbly yield to the total precepts of the word of God.
Prayer: O Lord, I invite you to be in the center of my life. Please Lord, endow me the grace, humility and obedience to dress up in your recommended spiritual outfit. Grant me the grace and divine ability to honor you with my life in an excellent characters and also with divine strength to be able to stand against the wiles of the wicked ones, in Jesus name, Amen.
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