“God clothes us in new robes of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10) — a truth that should cause us to rejoice and want to celebrate with others this new name! If you knew your name was ‘Righteous,’ would you continue to believe that you’re unworthy, not good enough, or disappointing to God?”- Esther Fleece Allen
“I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”- Isaiah 61:10 (NIV)
Esther Fleece Allen continues Chapter 3 of Your New Name as she tells about the fourth and fifth looks at who God says we are.
4. You are named ‘Righteous’. When we adopt the name ‘Righteous,’ Esther underscores, we focus on the work Christ accomplished for us on the cross. Not on you deeds – whether good or bad. Furthermore, Esther notes, this new name provides a corporate identity and association as well.
5. You are named ‘Accepted’. In Romans 14:17-18, the apostle Paul describes what happens when we serve Christ. Paul writes: “For the kingdom of God is .. a matter of . . . righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.”
However, sometimes we find it easier to remember the many rejections we’ve experienced. As a result, we need to live out our new name — ‘Accepted’. Or else we find ourselves taking on a spirit of rejection or despair. But Christ accepts us fully, unconditionally, and eternally.
In conclusion, Esther exhorts:
“This acceptance doesn’t stop with us. Once ‘Accepted’ becomes our new name, we look for ways to accept others in all kinds of ways. . . . It becomes our job to seek out others and offer them the same acceptance offered to us. Paul urges us, ‘Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7)
Today’s question: How do you rejoice that God clothed you in new robes of righteousness? Please share.
Special Note: today’s blog is the 3000th posted on Crown
Tomorrow’s blog: “The most important name of all – Loved”
