Clothed in Christ W
hat’s a girl to do now that Jesus has set her free? Freedom in Christ is pretty radical to get used to. That’s what sanctification is all about! Sometimes it’s hard knowing just what we ought to do, say, and become. Sometimes our old sinful nature gets in the way of our new Christian freedom. It can be painful learning that even though we are justified in Christ, that doesn’t mean we have the freedom to be foul-mouthed or that dressing like Britney Spears is the wisest choice. We’re not set free from sin to sin. We are freed from the Law to live within the Law, but that still doesn’t answer the question: What’s a girl to do now that Jesus has set her free?
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Religions like Mormonism and Islam, and even other denominations, offer some specific answers, and that’s attractive to some girls. They tell them what to do. Islam tells women to wear a burka, often veiling the face. At first thought, many would wonder, “Who would want to do that?” But the fascinating answer is that many Muslim women—even given the choice—refuse to give up these garments even in countries where women are allowed every social, political, and educational opportunity. The clothes that Islam calls for gives them a sense of privacy and helps to remind them of a woman’s place. In return, men treat them with greater respect. What female wouldn’t want to be treated with honor? No one treats a woman with greater respect and honor than Jesus, and He’s about more than dress. Through the washing of water and the Word, He makes her His own bride. He clothes her with Himself—His own righteousness. He places the crown of life upon her head. She becomes an heir of the kingdom of God. Special clothing identifies people. The burka is one example, but there are more. Infants are often dressed in white for their baptisms. Brides wear white gowns and veils for their special day. Jesus marks the infant as His own. The bride becomes a man’s wife. Through these events, we see Christ working in His Church. While Baptism marks where Christ is present for us, a wedding can remind us of the relationship Christ has with His Church. It would be impractical for Christian women to go about their daily work dressed as brides, so we don’t. That is one of the wonderful freedoms about being clothed in Christ. He has fulfilled the entire Law for us, so we are freed from all its requirements. For the Muslim women, the burka is a requirement. She must wear it. Her salvation is tied to those robes. In the end, burka becomes a burden and a prison. When there is no Savior, you’ve got to keep the Law perfectly to be saved. For Muslims, Mormons, and even some Christian denominations, Jesus isn’t the Savior, but a brother-type example to follow. Muslims and Mormons even say that Jesus was a prophet but not the only-begotten Son of God. Each day for their followers is filled with the burden of knowing they must earn their way to heaven. Sometimes these religions
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