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ND he (GOD) said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. (Genesis 3:11-13)
Intentional public nakedness is a sin whether on a public street, on the beach, in a cocktail lounge, or even in a hospital (when preventable). Nakedness reveals the sin of separation from God without the covering of the Robe of Righteousness that the Lord offers through His blood sacrifice on the cross. Adam and Eve were created naked just as is every child is born into the world. But carnal knowledge and a growing awareness of sin reveals to the growing child that nakedness is shameful and humiliating. The same was true of Adam and Eve. When they opted for the forbidden fruit against the counsel of God, their eyes were opened and they knew they were naked. The nakedness of Adam and Eve was a sign that sin had separated them from God – it always does. So, Adam and Eve hid from the presence of the Lord. They futilely attempted to cover their nakedness with fig leaves. But our works are of no merit to obtain salvation. Only the shedding of blood is a remission of sins. (see Hebrews 9:22)
God was forced to sacrifice an innocent and loving creature of the Garden to cover the nakedness (sin) of Adam and Eve. That covering the Lord took from the animal symbolized the covering of the blood of Christ for sins. When we disregard proper dress or modesty, we are showing our contempt for the need for that symbolic covering for sin. Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21) The skins of the animal represented the blood sacrifice of our Lord in the fulness of time at Calvary. Proper dress is important to God.
One day, there will be a great feast – the Marriage Supper of the Lamb – 11 ¶ And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 22:11-13)
The medical profession has for many years attempted to induce men and women into believing that almost every medical procedure requires the patient to be stripped naked – most often in the presence of the opposite sex. Do you feel that unnecessary nakedness is acceptable? Remember, the medical profession can perform no procedure on a conscious patient without his express permission. Nakedness before others in a hospital is not different from that in a strip joint when necessity is lacking, or in mixed company.
A few years ago, a mother of a high school daughter asked me to take pick her up from school to attend a medical appointment with a reputable local physician. I did so. The doctor said he needed to examine her breast (which he may have truly needed to do). But he had a young medical male student in his early twenties that he directed to accompany him in the process. I stopped him from doing so, but he still performed the event without a female nurse present. When I was growing up, such a thing would have entailed criminal charges.
Schools, and now many churches, have also relaxed dress standards to the point of indecency. Many churches in the cities across America advertise – “Come as you are, we are casual!” Though we do come to Christ as we are, we do not remain so if we have come to know Him as Lord and Savior.
From the very beginning of human history, it is revealed. When Adam and Eve sinned, God shed innocent blood in order to make them clothes from animal skins (Genesis 3:21). This is a picture of the covering of righteousness that we receive when the Lord Jesus Christ died for us.
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. (Revelation 7:9-10)
Do you have your robe? I hope it fits you!
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