The Garments of Salvation

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”

(Isaiah 61:10)

Why does the Scripture refer to ‘garments’ of salvation (plural) vs. THE ROBE of righteousness (singular)? Salvation as outlined in Scripture has many facets and therefore may be described as different layers of garments, much like many in Eastern countries wear layers of clothing. The garments of salvation, or salvation as garments, ALL pertain to the salvation of Christ being wrought out by Christ and is brought near and revealed by the Spirit of Christ. Such salvation was purposed before the foundation of the world, accomplished at the cross, revealed by the Spirit in regeneration and will be fully realized in the final glorification of all of God’s children when clothed in immortality, 2 Corinthians 5:2.

Regarding the robe of righteousness however, it is clear that there is only ONE among the other garments of salvation and it is imputed. It is not righteousness within the saved sinner but one put on the saved sinner, by the Free Grace of God, in the death of the LORD Jesus. Among all of God’s creatures, humans are the only ones who do not have garments as coverings that they grow naturally for protection. Birds produce feathers and dogs grow their winter coats but humans must be clothed from the outside, particularly for hazardous situations such as fires, bombs, or living in space. Nonetheless, these all pale compared to what the sinner needs to face a Holy God. Clearly, not just any robe will do. It must not only cover our nakedness [Hebrews 4:13-14] but as the verse indicates it must adorn us in such a way as to make us beautiful as a bride in the eyes of a Holy God. This is the righteousness of God, which our LORD Jesus established in His obedience unto death and God the Father approved and reckoned, once for all, to His elect, Isaiah 51:5-8. This is not any righteousness that we produce nor is it put within us but ON us. The Faith that the Spirit gives causes us to look to Christ alone and submit to that righteousness alone: that is Christ’s obedience unto death, Romans 10:1-4.

If we are ever taught of God and given eyes to behold the Son we’ll shuck our own rags of self-righteousness and thoughts of any inner, inherent or imparted perfection, as quickly as He causes us to see the glory and beauty of God’s imputed righteousness alone in His death upon the cross. Like the demoniac of the Gadarenes was accustomed to running in the hills and dwelling in the caves yet when Christ crossed his path He brought him to bow and worship. When the people came and found him, he was seated at Christ’s feet, fully clothed (with a garment given him by Christ) and in his right mind. Luke 8:35. NOTHING illustrates the redeemed and called sinner’s position or privilege better. Glory to His name!