I used to have this embarrassing dream–I would be at school and suddenly realize that I was in my underwear. Panic! You kind of wonder how I could leave home and not notice a little detail like that, but things don’t have to make sense when you’re dreaming.

The worst is that it feels like you’re really in that situation whether you actually are or not.

So the rest of the time I would try to put on my pants, or find my pants, or whatever. I hated that stupid dream. Not too many of us care to show up in a public place clad only in our skivvies.

I never actually went to school in my undies, though I did rip an embarrassing tear in the seat of my pants, when I was in high school I think it was. My solution was to take my coat and tie the arms around my waist, effectively covering the embarrassing area. You might think that would be a tip-off to all the jokesters in my class that something was goofy but we weren’t really classy dressers in my school and no one really said anything.

Except my math teacher …

This lady had a piercing voice and a sharp tongue. As she passed me in the hall, she said sarcastically, “What happened? You tear a hole in the seat of your pants?” Grrrr… I gave her a sheepish grin and a non-committal answer, and understood anew why I didn’t like math.

No one likes to be exposed like a plucked chicken in front of others. You want to know something that scarier than that, though? God sees us without any kind of feathers. Listen:

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Heb. 4:12,13

Ah …

Adam and Eve sinned and tried to hide from Him but you might as well try to hide from the air. He’s everywhere.

Who can stand the scrutiny of a Holy God? He knows all, sees all, understands all. There’s no hiding from Him. We’re guilty.

So what to do?

Put some clothes on, but make sure they are the right ones!

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 righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isa. 61:10, NIV)

Instead of trying to “dress up” by our own efforts why don’t we just let God dress us? When we put our faith in Jesus Christ to be saved from our sins and to receive the gift of eternal life, he gives us this new suit of righteousness.

We really look sharp in the presence of God the Father, clothed in the righteousness that comes by faith in Christ.

But without Him, we’re naked in the searchlight of His holiness.

It’s no dream because we’re all going to stand before Him. God calls us to turn from our sins, ask forgiveness, and put our faith in the Lord Jesus. Then you get your righteous suit. Lookin’ good, buddy!

And you’re no longer naked before Him—you’re clothed in Christ’s righteousness and the Father accepts you gladly.
_________
Hmmm…
“Don’t be embarrassed to try and fail. Be embarrassed to fail to try.” Unknown