Real religion is a way of life, not a white cloak to be wrapped around us on the Sabbath and then cast aside into the six-day closet of unconcern.
 – William Arthur Ward

At a recent Pastor’s conference I attended we were discussing this issue. It seems a lot of folks have the ability to check in and out of “Christian” mode based on where they are, who they are with, and what they are doing.

We need to fight against the idea that being “God-fearing” one day a week makes up for the way we live the rest of the week. It is true that we have a covering that makes us clean or white in God’s sight, but that covering is not what we do. The covering we have is the righteous acts of Jesus, and that is ours every day.

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Psalm 32:1

These who are clothed in white robes, who are they, and from where have they come? … These are the ones who … have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:13-14

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ   Romans 13:14

 Knowing we have this covering fills our hearts with gratitude. We are acceptable in God’s sight for Jesus’ sake. Having this covering, we need to make use of it every day.

Some see this covering as a license to sin, since they will be forgiven for Jesus’ sake. That is wrong headed. Jesus, the one who gives us this covering, is also the one who said, “Go and sin no more.”  Instead, we ought to view the righteous covering Jesus provides as our motivation to live for Him each and every day. Because He loved me enough to pay for my sin and give me eternal life as a gift, I want to do what is pleasing in His sight to show my gratitude.

Let’s all wear the title “Christian” proudly, letting others see our Savior in our lives and actions.