"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).
We may understand this to refer to justification. That is, they will enjoy a constant sense of their own justification by faith. They will understand that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to them, and that they have all been washed and made whiter than the newly-fallen snow. Again, it refers to joy and gladness, for white robes were holiday attire among the Jews. They who have not defiled their garments will have their faces always bright. They will 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 hath accepted thy works" (Ecclesiastes 9: 7). He who is accepted of God will wear white garments of joy and gladness while he walks in sweet communion with the Lord Jesus. Why are there so many doubts, and so much misery and mourning? Is it because so many believers defile their garments with sin and lose the joy of their salvation and the comfortable fellowship of the Lord Jesus? Those who have not defiled their garments here will most certainly possess joys inconceivable, happiness beyond a dream, bliss which imagination knows not, and a blessedness which even the stretch of desire has not reached. In His sweet company they will drink of the living fountains of waters.