Have you ever worn a uniform, whether on a sports team, or even one for work? Do you remember how you felt when you put on the uniform for the first time? You were no longer on the sidelines, watching from afar, but you were now in the contest, and you got to contribute to the game.

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You probably felt special, selected particularly for that team for that moment. And you got to represent that team on the fields of friendly strife, striving for success.  

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Have you ever thought of putting on the garments of salvation referenced in Isaiah 61:10, or the armor of God referenced in Ephesians 6:10-18? Both are like a uniform, setting Christians apart for a special purpose.

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In today’s verse, Jesus tells the story of the prodigal son, his path of destruction, and his restoration to his father. After essentially telling his father he wished he were dead by taking half of his father’s estate, the son had spent the money foolishly, recklessly, and extravagantly (that’s what prodigal means). After wasting everything and being forced to work in a field of pig slop, he came to his senses, sought forgiveness and restoration with his father, and returned home. In response, the father showed him extravagant (even prodigal?) love, gave him the forgiveness he sought, and restored him to a place of honor as one of his sons. How do we know that? The father brought out a special robe usually reserved for guests of honor, a ring of authority, and sandals (slaves went barefoot). That robe and that ring signified forgiveness, and reinstatement to a place of honor.  It showed that the father had accepted him, and that he belonged to his father’s household. He was on his father’s team again, even though he didn’t deserve it.

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Does that story remind you of anyone else with special clothing? Genesis chapters 37-50 tells the story of Joseph. Joseph started with a special robe that made his brothers angry with envy.  After being sold into slavery by those envious brothers, Joeseph was eventually given a place of authority, signified by a special robe and a ring of authority – much like the father gave to the prodigal son.

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As Christians, our father has given us special clothing – not a physical fabric, but rather a garment of salvation, a robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).

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How do you wear it?

How do we wear the garment of salvation? I think of the first team I ever played on – a basketball team at my junior high school. We had these hideous shiny sky-blue and gold uniforms. But they represented our team, our school. They were our garments of belonging, and they showed that we belonged – that we were set apart from others, that we were part of something greater than ourselves, and that we had a common purpose.  

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How do you wear the garments of salvation, or the armor of God? Maybe you need those garments in your daily struggle against current hardships and temptations, or as you fight spiritual battles (Ephesians 6:12). You need the garments of salvation to remind you that God chose you, that you are his son or daughter, and that he will never leave you. You belong to Him and He has elevated you to a place of honor, love, and forgiveness.

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Can other people see that you wear the garments of salvation? Do people at work, or at the store, or at the gym know what team you’re on by what you say and by how you act? Can they tell that you are different from the old you, the one who might have been picking up pig slop but for God’s saving mercy?

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Can other people tell what team you’re on?

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Dear God, thank You for choosing me to be part of your team, your family. Thank you for your forgiveness and restoration. May I live daily to honor you and to live a life worthy of Your calling.