Clothed in Righteousness
The Christian life is defined by a radical, costly surrender to Jesus Christ, rooted in the revelation of righteousness and fueled by an unwavering commitment to evangelism. This journey, exemplified by the testimony of Kelly Kay, demonstrates that true fulfillment and spiritual power are found only at the “end of self” and through recognizing that salvation is not a “free gift” without personal cost.
1. The Power of New Identity: Righteousness and Fragrance
The core message of the gospel is the transformation of identity, moving the believer from a state of guilt to one of right standing with God through Christ’s finished work.
Righteousness as a Robe
Righteousness is compared to a robe that Jesus bought. This robe is the believer’s right standing with God, which most Christians leave “hanging up in their closet”.
- A Choice, Not a Tattoo: Righteousness is not automatic; it is a choice made every day to “put on that robe of right standing” because of what Jesus did, rather than trying to earn it through self-effort.
- Smelling Like Jesus: When the believer puts on the robe of righteousness and stands before the Father, God “chooses not to see you” in your fallen state. Instead, He declares, “You smell just like [the] smell of my son”. This concept echoes the story of Jacob deceiving Isaac by putting on Esau’s robe and smell to receive the blessing he never deserved.
- The Pleasing Aroma: Believers are meant to be “the pleasing aroma of Christ to the father”. Through us, God “reveals the fragrance of his knowledge in every place”. When the Christian is “squeezed” by trials (“everything’s stinky”), Christ comes out, releasing the fragrance of God.
The Necessity of Mind Renewal
To live in this new identity, the mind must be continuously renewed. Without taking thoughts captive that oppose the knowledge of God, the believer cannot release the fragrance they are called to reveal. This renewal ensures the believer sees themselves as a brand-new creation, one with God, and in union with Him.
2. Rejecting the Sinner Label: Living as a Saint
The five-fold ministry gift (pastors, apostles, prophets, teachers, and evangelists) is given for the equipping of the saints for the works of ministry, not for equipping sinners.
- Finished Work: While we have all “fallen short of the glory of God,” Jesus came not to keep us in that failing state but to bring us to the place where God sees us through the blood of His Son, where it is “finished”.
- New Creation: After salvation, the believer is a brand-new creation. Seeing oneself as a “sinner” leads to begging for victory instead of praying from the position of victory already won.
- The First Lie: Many believers are still trapped by the devil’s first lie after salvation: “Now if you can just get through your sin you’ll have a great relationship with God”. This shifts focus back to self-effort, failing to realize that we came to Jesus precisely because we couldn’t fix our sin. The relationship must come first so that Jesus can fix the sin.
3. The Cost of Discipleship: Beyond the “Free Gift”
Salvation is often mistakenly presented as a “free gift” without cost, which diminishes its perceived value and engagement.
The True Cost
Salvation was not free; it cost Jesus everything, and it costs the believer everything as well.
- Value and Instructions: People tend to value expensive items, read their instructions, and use them fully. When salvation is treated as a “free gift,” believers neglect the “instructions” (the Bible) and expect it to work on its own.
- Laying Down Life: The gift was so valuable that God sent His Son. Because of this immense value, the believer must lay down their life, counting the cost. Jesus stayed on the cross for the joy set before Him, and that joy is us.
Abundant Life Now
The decision to surrender fully to God unlocks an amazing life on earth, not just a promise for heaven. Jesus taught that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy now, but He came to give life in abundance now.
4. Kelly Kay’s Journey: From Self-Building to Surrender
The personal journey of Kelly Kay highlights the failure of human striving and the fulfillment found in obedience.
Chasing the World
Kelly Kay grew up in an “extremely godly home,” filled with the Holy Ghost at age 9, and had a radical healing at age 10. However, he became numb to the power of God, choosing to reject God’s plan—which was to preach to millions—to pursue his own dream of becoming a rock star. For 15 years, he chased rock and roll, trying to build his own “castle instead of his kingdom”.
The Crash and the Cost
Through sheer persistence, he worked his way into the music industry, eventually tour managing bands like Nickelback and Three Days Grace. He felt he had achieved the dream—in arenas every night, making money, and living lavishly.
His pursuit was violently interrupted when the tour van crashed at 70 mph, tearing 90% of the skin off his back. He woke up sliding on the highway, saved from being run over by a series of events. This near-death experience was God telling him, “Kelly I got a plan for you this isn’t it”.
The music industry instantly replaced him, and everything he had built was “gone in an instant”. Even after the crash, he spent three to five more years trying to succeed on his own as a stand-up comedian and TV host, but “everything failed”.
The Parent’s Promise and Final Yielding
His parents, though heartbroken, never worried, standing on the promise that if they trained up a child in the way of the Lord, “they will not depart from it”. They knew he would return.
Finally, Kelly Kay reached the point of total surrender: “Jesus I just I give it all to you i lay my life down”. God responded, saying, “All right now I can use you i had to get to the end of me”.