There’s no doubt that a great change comes over us when we’ve repented and put our faith in Christ. We feel renewed and clean on the inside... the Garment of Salvation is exchanged for the sin-stained garments worn by those who live outside of Christ.

Many years ago, I met a young mom; we soon became good friends. She didn’t have much in this life, but several small children and a husband who believed it was more important to be anywhere but home.

The young mom struggled with daily routines, yet she was so sweet. I determined in my heart to help her as much as I could since we didn’t have any children at that time. I can easily remember going to her apartment and finding dishes several days old in the sink, children running around in soiled clothes, beds unmade, bathrooms needing scrubbed, etc.

This precious mom loved the Lord, but she couldn’t rise above her lack of daily disciplines to represent Him well by caring for her family.

As I worked with her cleaning the kitchen or doing laundry, we often talked about how to tackle some of her challenges, but she had a difficult time making any change last.

As awful as it sounds, I vividly remember times she would take dirty clothes out of the laundry pile and put them on to go to the store or to church; it wasn’t any different for her children. Obviously, it was no secret to those around her that daily disciplines were an issue.

It does us no good to take a bath and wear yesterday’s soiled clothes.

Romans 13:14 reminds us to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."

And, as we "work out our salvation with trembling and fear" (Philippians 2:12), a daily heart cleansing is necessary. Perhaps it isn’t the entire reason for my unusual friendship years ago, but the Holy Spirit taught me a valuable lesson through it, one which I’ve never forgotten.

We can’t walk in yesterday’s clothes–they stink. Our Bridegroom is coming after a Bride whose garments are spotless and unwrinkled. He didn’t just say “without wrinkle we could have just ironed out yesterday’s soiled clothes. He said, “spotless and without wrinkle,” cleansed by the blood of the Pure and Spotless Lamb.

Each new day requires effort to renew and follow. We can’t iron a dirty garment and be found acceptable in His sight. Let’s take note to separate ourselves from our unclean clothing and allow the garment of salvation to shine brightly, pointing to the purifying and cleansing power of salvation in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:
Father, help me walk worthy of the Garment of Salvation wherewith You have clothed me, for Your glory and Your pleasure. Amen.

“So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.” (Psalm 61:8).

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© 2026 Jan Ross
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“Sit often under the influence of God’s Word.”🌻
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