“The one who is victorious will be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and His angels.” Revelation 3:5

This past weekend, Pam and I traveled to the University of Virginia to participate in the “white coat ceremony” for our daughter Amanda who is in her second year in the nursing program. As a nursing student, she already has her scrubs, stethoscope and those outrageously expensive shoes that nurses wear on their rounds, but she didn’t have her lab coat. Since clinical begins next semester, the university makes a big deal in bestowing that particular garment. All of us proud parents gathered in a beautiful, historic auditorium on campus right off the lawn and at the appropriate time, I had the privilege of presenting Amanda with her coat and placing it around her shoulders. Getting your white coat conveys a sense of honor, achievement, authority, and responsibility as these students move into the next critical phase of their training.

Afterward, as I reflected on the ceremony, I couldn’t help but draw the parallel, that Jesus has a “white coat ceremony” for us too. Everyone who acknowledges Him as Lord and Savior, at the point we repent of our sin and receive His amazing grace into our lives, we are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We have white robes and because of all that God did for us in Christ, we are as righteous as He is righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21), we are as holy as He is holy (1 Corinthians 1:2, Hebrews 3:1), and we are as blameless as He is blameless (Colossians 1:22).

I’m wearing a white robe and so are you! Just as the white nursing coat symbolizes honor, achievement, authority, and responsibility for the wearer, so too, do our white robes. Like the robe that the Father gave to his wayward son, (Luke 15:22) so Jesus has honored us, by calling us brothers, sisters and friends (Hebrews 2:11, John 15:15). We sure don’t deserve that! Our white robes also represent achievement… but not our achievement… HIS. God works in us and through us by His grace so no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our white robes signify authority. We are called joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) and in that position, we can exercise all the power and authority of his name (Matthew 28:18-19, John 14:12-14). But white robes also denote responsibility. A UVA nurse represents the university and each nurse takes an oath to do no harm and always act in the best interest of their patient. They are a cut above. Similarly, we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) and represent God to this world. The last thing we want to do is sully our robes by romping in the sewer of the world (James 1:27). We are set apart and we’ve got way more important things to do- God has a mission for us and He has already picked out good works for us to accomplish in His name (Ephesians 2:10).

So, wear your white robe proudly and loudly this week. Not with folded hands and a holier-than-thou attitude, but with the strength and purpose of a Christian who has been selected and equipped to make an eternal difference in this world.