The Poor Boy

From: Messages of God's Love: 1932

A NOBLEMAN whose kindness to the poor and lowly was well known, invited a boy to his beautiful home in a large city. The boy was very poor and his clothes were shabby and he had nothing better.

The one who invited him was well aware of this, so along with the invitation he gave a splendid suit of clothes for the lad to wear.

Does not this remind us of the goodness of God? He invites us to His home, but of course we could not go in the filthy garments of our sins. So God has provided for all that. With the invitation He offers us a beautiful robe of His own making—His righteousness— which will completely cover us, so that our natural selves will not appear at all before Him.

We are sure the reader will want to know how this splendid covering may be obtained. The following Scripture verse will tell how we may get it,

"But now the righteousness without the law is manifested .. .. even the righteousness which is of God by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe." Rom. 3:21, 22²¹But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; ²²Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:21‑22).

This is the way to get this wonderful robe. It is free to every soul in the world but it is given to only those who believe—those who accept Christ by faith.

There are many who hope to enter heaven as a result of their own righteousness, but this cannot be, for the Scripture tells us

"There is none righteous, no, not one," Rom. 3:10¹⁰As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10) and also,

"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." Isa. 64:6⁶But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6).

The poor boy did not presume to enter the gentleman's house in his rags, but accepted the clothing that was provided for him. So God cannot receive us to His presence unless we are arrayed in a robe suited to this holy place—one of His own providing.

Another passage tells us that Christ Himself is the righteousness of him who believes.

"Who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." 1 Cor. 1:30³⁰But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30).

How much we get in Christ! If we have Him, we have everything. Then take God at His word; believe His love and accept the Saviour He offers, and all the blessing He has to give, will be yours, including a happy home and His companionship forever.

Clad in this robe, how bright I shine,

Angels possess not such a dress;

Angels have not a robe like mine,

Jesus the Lord's my righteousness.

And now a righteousness divine

Is all my glory, all my trust;

Nor will I fear, since that is mine,

While Thou dost live, and God is just.

Messages of God’s Love 12/18/1932

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