And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons (Gen. 3:7). When Adam and Eve sinned, they tried to cover their nakedness with fig leaves. Notice, they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. Was such a proper covering for their nakedness? What did God demand according to Genesis 3:21? Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. God’s design for covering their nakedness required death, sacrifice, and bloodshed.
Likewise, when we are living in sin, we are spiritually naked. All accountable souls living today have at some point been spiritually naked, and many remain that way today: For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Sadly, many will be found naked and without the “wedding garment” when the Lord returns (c.f. Matt. 7:13, 14; Matt. 22:1-14), which is a humbling reminder of the commission Jesus gave to us (c.f. Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:16). What must we do to cover our spiritual nakedness? We must be clothed in Christ. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ (Gal. 3:27). God’s design for covering our spiritual nakedness required, death, sacrifice, and bloodshed. “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!” Jesus Christ...washed us from our sins in his own blood (Rev. 1:5). When does He wash us in His blood? Ananias told Saul, Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins (Acts 22:16). Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (Rom. 6:3). Jesus died, sacrificed, and shed His blood that we might be cleansed of our sins. When we obey His will in immersion in water for the remission of sins, we are baptized into his death, we contact his own blood, and we put on Christ, so that as long as we walk in the light as He is in the light (1 Jn. 1:7-9), we will not be naked.
However, many today and throughout history have been “sewing fig leaves” and “making themselves aprons”. They are seeking to cover their spiritual nakedness in their own way. O yes, some use the Scriptures to “prove” their plan of salvation, but they do not consider the contexts of those passages, and the whole counsel of God concerning salvation. Some spiritual “aprons made from fig leaves” include: “Be a sincere person”; “Have an experience”; “Hear a voice”; “See the Lord, Himself”; “Only repent”; “Only believe”; “Just pray this prayer”; “See a vision”; “Witness a miracle”, and the list goes on. However, these nine can be directly refuted in the Bible’s account of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Jesus said, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matt. 7:21-23).
- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/
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