That Rich and Royal Robe
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the importance of desiring to be found in Christ's blameless and spotless righteousness, rather than relying on our own imperfect righteousness.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the importance of being found in Christ, rejecting self-righteousness as mere 'filthy rags' and instead embracing the perfect righteousness that comes through faith in Him. He illustrates that legal righteousness is inadequate, likening it to a beggar's coat, while Christ's righteousness is described as pure, spotless, and glorious. Brooks encourages believers to focus on this royal robe of righteousness, which allows them to stand before God without blemish, highlighting the transformative power of faith in Christ.
Text
"I desire to be found in Christ, not having a righteousness
of my own that comes from the law, but that which is
through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes
from God and is by faith." Phil. 3:9
Paul would not be found in a legal righteousness, for he
knew all his legal righteousness was but as "filthy rags."
All his legal righteousness, sewed together, would but
make up a coat of patches, a beggar's coat, which is good
for nothing but to be cast away; therefore he desired to be
found in the righteousness of Christ by faith. He knew that
Christ's righteousness was . . .
a pure righteousness,
a spotless righteousness,
a matchless righteousness,
a complete righteousness,
a perfect righteousness,
an absolute righteousness,
a glorious righteousness.
Faith loves to fix her eye upon that rich and royal robe,
that blameless and spotless righteousness of Christ, with
which the soul stands gloriously clothed before God, as
being all beauteous, as being without spot or wrinkle in
the divine account.
Sermon Outline
- The Desire for Christ's Righteousness
- Desire to be found in Christ
- Not in a righteousness of our own
- But through faith in Christ
Key Quotes
“Faith loves to fix her eye upon that rich and royal robe, that blameless and spotless righteousness of Christ, with which the soul stands gloriously clothed before God, as being all beauteous, as being without spot or wrinkle in the divine account.” — Thomas Brooks
“All his legal righteousness, sewed together, would but make up a coat of patches, a beggar's coat, which is good for nothing but to be cast away;” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should desire to be clothed in Christ's rich and royal robe of righteousness, rather than relying on our own imperfect righteousness.
- Faith is essential in fixing our eyes on Christ's blameless and spotless righteousness.
- Our own legal righteousness is worthless and should be cast away, in favor of Christ's complete and perfect righteousness.