Christ the Believer's Adorning Garment
Christ's garment is a metaphor for the righteousness and beauty that He brings to believers, and it is acquired through faith and the work of His grace in our lives.
Ralph Erskine preaches about the spiritual attire of believers, comparing it to a rich and sparkling garment provided by their heavenly husband. He emphasizes that this divine raiment never grows old, offering protection from life's challenges and beautifying the soul. Erskine highlights the grace and righteousness that adorn believers, symbolized by the husband's bright array that is woven with threads from his very being.
Text
Yea, thou excell'st in rich attire
The lamp that lights the globe
Thy sparkling garment heav'ns admire,
Thy husband is thy robe.
This raiment never waxes old,
'Tis always new and clean:
From summer-heat and winter-cold,
Thy husband can thee screen.
All who the name of worthies bore,
Since Adam was undrest,
No worth acquir'd, but as they wore
Thy husband's purple vest.
This linen fine can beautify
The soul with sin begirt.
0 bless his name, that e'er on thee
Thy husband spread his skirt.
Are dunghills decked with flow'ry glore,
Which Solomon's outvie: :
Sure thine is infinitely more,
Thy husband decks the sky.
Thy hands could never work the dress,
By grace alone thou'rt gay.
Grace vents and reigns through righteousness,
Thy husband's bright array.
To spin thy robe no more dost need
Than lilies toil for theirs;
Out of his bowels ev'ry thread
Thy husband thine prepares.
Sermon Outline
- Christ as the Believer's Adorning Garment
- The Source of Christ's Garment
- The Nature of Christ's Garment
- The Benefits of Wearing Christ's Garment
- The Role of Grace in Christ's Garment
- The Role of Righteousness in Christ's Garment
Key Quotes
“Thy husband is thy robe.” — Ralph Erskine
“Thy husband can thee screen.” — Ralph Erskine
“Thy husband decks the sky.” — Ralph Erskine
Application Points
- As believers, we should recognize the beauty and righteousness that Christ brings to our lives and seek to adorn ourselves with His garment.
- We should trust in Christ's garment to screen us from the heat and cold of the world and to bring us glory and beauty.
- Faith is essential in wearing Christ's garment, and we should seek to deepen our faith in Him.