A Robe of Righteousness

In evangelizing, I approached with a statement: challenging his abilities as a dress-maker, a man named Justin. I told him that there’s an item of clothing that he’s incapable of putting together.

Somewhat provoked, and in front of his apprentices who were discreetly yet keenly following the conversation, he retorted that he could make any garment. I held his curiosity in suspense in replying that there’s a robe that he has never made and that he never will make for the simple reason that he’s just not able to do it. Finally he asked me what was this robe that he could neither tailor nor sew. So I said to him with a satisfied smile, that I was talking about the robe of righteousness which only God can give us. Being Catholic, Justin consented to what I’d told him and so we began on the storefront of a tailor shop somewhere in Africa, a more serious conversation about the salvation that is free and about the justification by pure, divine grace that’s for him who desires to put his trust in Jesus.

In leaving, I threw him this phrase, “Justin can make robes that cover the bodies of others, only God can make a robe of righteousness [“justice” here in French] to clothe the soul of Justin.” There are many Justins in the world. On every continent we can meet Justin. May God give us the wisdom and the love to speak to them of the amazing salvation that God is ready to give to whosoever wants it.

At the close of this year which slowly draws to an end, exhausted by the horror of blows received, and at the dawn of the new year which, like a much desired messiah heard to be arriving, carries with it promises which – in this case – certainly are very fragile for those who have only an illusion of hope; I with you all, dear friends, dear brothers and sisters, would like to thank our God for the life that he has given us.

All of the team is very happy to be serving the Lord here in Benin. We’re not happy because we have all, but because we have Jesus. We’re not secure because all things are going well, but because he is with us. We don’t have hope because the world economy is going better (maybe), but because we have the most precious promises that God could’ve made.

The years pass, the hopes of men crumble, their fear grows, but we, we’ll go forward, because our God is the same yesterday, today and for eternity.

Thank you for your friendship and your prayers which make up, we’re persuaded, 99% of the missionary work in which we are engaged.

In the name of all who have heard the message of the gospel, of the Finished Work here in Benin and of all who will hear it tomorrow, “thank you, thank you, thank you”.

For only the glory of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

The whole team wishes you a new year in the Lord Jesus Christ full of blessings and knowledge of the one who has redeemed your lives.

Pastor Luigi, Isabelle, Christine, Paul and Daniel