THE SECRET OF KEEPING THE GARMENTS

THE SECRET OF KEEPING THE GARMENTS

Scripture: Revelation 16:15

Topic: The Secret of Keeping the Garments.

"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and KEEPETH HIS GARMENTS, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame."

Revelation 16:15

Nakedness is a reality for all who serve the Lord. Everyone is naked before putting on his clothes. A naked body lies unrevealed beneath each person’s clothes. Amazingly, when unclothed, most people look a little less sharp and even appear to be a downgraded version of themselves! 

You would have thought that nakedness is more attractive but it is usually not so. Shapelessness, big tummies, distorted figures, overweight bodies, thin lean skeletons, skinny legs, overgrown hair, white and grey hairs, disproportionate breasts, sagging breasts and other embarrassing organs are all hidden under the garments.

In the ministry, we all have nakedness too. This nakedness is not a sin. It is not a sin to have a naked body. But it is embarrassing for the real, weak, feeble and failing bodies that we have, to be revealed to all. This is why you need to fight to keep your garments on. Garments speak of anything that protects you from having your weakness and nakedness becoming a source of embarrassment to you. Sickness, health problems, marital problems, financial problems, quarrels and human failures are all part of our nakedness. Jesus had human realities and there were certain people who had the ability to handle those human realities and not be affected negatively. John the apostle was one such person. He said he had handled the Word of life. He declared that he had touched, seen, observed and related with the Word of life. He must have seen the nakedness (humanness) of Jesus. Yet he never turned against Jesus but rather spoke of His glory and greatness.

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."

1 John 1:1-3

 

Not everyone has this wonderful ability of seeing the nakedness and shame of God’s servant and still believe in him. I remember a man of God whose family was puzzled by their father’s ability to pray for the sick while he himself struggled with cancer until he died. They could not fathom why their father could pray for people to be healed and yet not receive healing himself.

You must strive to cover up the humanness of your life and ministry by having helpers, people like John in your life. This John will be a covering to you. Much evil is determined against you when you are not careful about choosing the people who can dwell with you whilst observing your nakedness (humanness). People who do not have this gift develop the spirit of familiarity, pride and arrogance. 

Being surrounded by those who have the gift of John the disciple is a great blessing. Jesus really loved John. When He was dying on the cross, He asked John to look after His mother. It was John He trusted with His human issues. Peter was nowhere to be found. John was experienced in handling the nakedness (humanness) of the Saviour. He could and would handle Jesus’ mother very well. May God give you garments (helpers) that cover the nakedness, weakness, frailty and humanness of your life!

Excerpt from:

Victory Secrets

Bishop Dag Heward-Mills