Presentable!

A few days ago, as I started putting on a denim shirt, my wife commented, "Isn't that shirt a bit WRINKLED?" She was right and so that shirt went into the laundry basket. We were heading out to lunch at a local restaurant and a WRINKLED shirt would not have made me look very presentable.

For those in the military, there are strict regulations regarding presentable attire. No military personnel would dare stand before their commanding officer for inspection in a WRINKLED uniform and unpolished shoes. Presentable dress should also be given serious consideration when going before a judge in court. Even some restaurants have rules regarding appropriate attire for the social atmosphere they strive to maintain.

When noting the love Christ demonstrated on behalf of the church in having given Himself up in order to sanctify and cleanse her ( Ephesians 5:25-26), Paul went on to state. . .

"(27) so that HE MIGHT PRESENT THE CHURCH TO HIMSELF in splendor, WITHOUT SPOT OR WRINKLE or any such thing, that she might BE HOLY and WITHOUT BLEMISH." ( Ephesians 5:27 ESV)

The context here is a picture of the church adorned for Christ. However, each one of us being a part of Christ's church, any WRINKLES in our personal life would add to the WRINKLES of the church. Left to ourselves there are some things in our life we just can't iron out. No matter how we try, the spots and WRINKLES will remain. Praise God we have Jesus to make us presentable. It is He Who has taken care of the STAINS and WRINKLES so that we can look good for the Father's inspection. Only by the blood of Jesus can we become presentable to God, with the WRINKLES removed and beauty restored in the holiness in which He clothes us.

Have a great day LOOKING GOOD BECAUSE OF CHRIST!
Carl

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