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Commentary on "Garments of Splendor"

RICHARD PEIFER

 

Day 6: Thursday, May 19, 2011 - Garments of Salvation

 

Overview

“Look through Isaiah 61 again. What promises can you take from those verses for yourself? How can you realize those promises for yourself; that is, what practices in your life must you change in order for these to be fulfilled in, and for, you?” (Teacher’s Quarterly, Page 98)

 

Problems

Thursday’s lesson begins well. It even uses an Ellen White quotation that seems to say what I’ve been trying to point out from the Bible. And then, as a triumphant conclusion, the author asks, “What practices in your life must you change in order for these [promises] to be fulfilled in, and for, you?” (Emphasis added.)

There is no triumph in the concluding question. There is only defeat and depression.

Let’s suppose that I have a problem telling the truth. I have built a strong habit, reinforced by years of practice, whereby I have figured out how to get around negative consequences with subtle innuendo, or a word or two left out of an explanation, etc.

Now, let’s suppose that I look into the Law and discover that such behavior is horrible, that, in fact, I am lost because of it.

Further, I am told that Jesus has a robe of righteousness waiting for me, and so I need to change this practice in order to receive the robe. Therefore, I very seriously undertake to make that change, and, praise Jesus, I succeed. For the next 40 years I never tell another lie.

What is the result of my “success”? Here are Jesus’ own words. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles, [and in Your name tell the truth every time]?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ ” (Matthew 7:22-23 NASB, paraphrase added)

Anything that is not from faith is sin (see Romans 14:23 and its wider context). This is the message of Romans 7, and the only antidote is Romans 8. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1-4 NASB)

The garments of salvation are solely the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit. In fact, they are as much a gift to us as is salvation itself. This not our work to do (see 2 Peter 1:3-4; Philippians 2:12-13; Philippians 1:6; etc.)

If I don’t see righteousness in my life it is because I have taken my eyes off Jesus; I’m looking to myself or to my church or to someone or something else for it. In fact, if this is the case then I’ve forgotten that I have been cleansed (see 2 Peter 1:9). If I doubt my salvation, it is because a) I’m not saved, or b) I don’t know what salvation is.

Ellen White’s quotation from Selected Messages is not consistent with other of her publically stated beliefs. How do I know? Here is a quote from Friday’s lesson: “The white raiment is purity of character, the righteousness of Christ imparted to the sinner. This is indeed a garment of heavenly texture, that can be bought only of Christ for a life of willing obedience. —Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 88.”

Which is it? Is “the provision complete,” or is it “bought only of Christ for a life of willing obedience?”

Either Jesus’ provision is complete, or it is available for purchase. Either I am righteous in Him, or I am not righteous, because either He is righteous, or He is not. There is nothing I can do to buy it, keep it or lose it. It is His free gift, given to everyone who is born again. If it costs me anything then salvation is not by grace through faith. If it can be attained through the Law, then Jesus died for nothing! (See Galatians 2:21.)

 

GO TO DAY 7

 

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