December 8, Morning
C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling
"Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy." — Revelation 3:4 · KJV
We may understand this to refer to justification. "They shall walk in white" — that is, they shall enjoy a constant sense of their own justification by faith; they shall understand that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to them, that they have all been washed and made whiter than newly fallen snow. Again, it refers to joy and gladness, for white robes were holiday dress among the Jews. Those who have not defiled their garments shall have faces always bright; they shall understand what Solomon meant when he said, "Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart, for God now accepteth thy works." He who is accepted of God shall wear white garments of joy and gladness, as he walks in sweet communion with the Lord Jesus. Whence, then, so many doubts, so much misery and mourning? It is because so many believers defile their garments with sin and error, and so lose the joy of their salvation and the comfortable fellowship of the Lord Jesus; here below they do not walk in white. The promise also refers to walking in white before the throne of God. Those who have not defiled their garments here shall most certainly walk in white up yonder, where the white-robed hosts sing perpetual hallelujahs to the Most High. They shall possess joys inconceivable, happiness beyond a dream, bliss which imagination does not know, blessedness which even the reach of desire has never touched. The "undefiled in the way" shall have all this — not of merit, nor of works, but of grace. They shall walk with Christ in white, for He has made them "worthy"; and in His sweet company they shall drink of the living fountains of waters.