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“An Effectual Plea”
In the world of Christianity, many people have not experienced the robe of righteousness and do not understand its potential. However, this concept is absolutely vital to anyone who wishes peace and joy in their relationship with their Lord.
Too often there’s a motivation to do good so that “we can be saved.” The message here in Zechariah should show us that is not how it works, nor how it can work. Again, here’s Ellen G. White on what was happening in this vision:
“But while we should realize our sinful condition, we are to rely upon Christ as our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption. We cannot answer the charges of Satan against us. Christ alone can make an effectual plea in our behalf. He is able to silence the accuser with arguments founded not upon our merits, but on His own.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 472.
That last sentence should become emblazoned in the hearts of all of God’s people, a truth that we must know not only intellectually but experientially, learning to rely moment by moment, not on our good works, no matter how good they really are, but only on the merits of Christ. Or, to put it in David’s words: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Ps. 32:1).
Keeping what we have seen in Zechariah 3 in mind, read Ephesians 2:8–10, John 14:15, and Romans 6:1–4. How do these verses help us understand all that is involved in what we have been shown in Zechariah about what it means to be wearing “rich robes”?
Now that Joshua was covered in the garments of holiness, his life was to reflect that holiness. We are to exert all the God-given power offered the soul to have victory over sin. No sin should be tolerated or excused in our lives, not when there are so many promises of victory for the one who has given himself or herself to Christ. Christ’s life proved we can live in obedience to God’s law. When we sin, we are choosing to sin. How important that we always think long and hard on the implications of that choice.
What are the sins you especially struggle with? What promises can you claim so that you can have the victory over them promised you in Christ?
| THURSDAY | May 26 |
In the world of Christianity, many people have not experienced the robe of righteousness and do not understand its potential. However, this concept is absolutely vital to anyone who wishes peace and joy in their relationship with their Lord.
Too often there’s a motivation to do good so that “we can be saved.” The message here in Zechariah should show us that is not how it works, nor how it can work. Again, here’s Ellen G. White on what was happening in this vision:
“But while we should realize our sinful condition, we are to rely upon Christ as our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption. We cannot answer the charges of Satan against us. Christ alone can make an effectual plea in our behalf. He is able to silence the accuser with arguments founded not upon our merits, but on His own.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 472.
That last sentence should become emblazoned in the hearts of all of God’s people, a truth that we must know not only intellectually but experientially, learning to rely moment by moment, not on our good works, no matter how good they really are, but only on the merits of Christ. Or, to put it in David’s words: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Ps. 32:1).
Keeping what we have seen in Zechariah 3 in mind, read Ephesians 2:8–10, John 14:15, and Romans 6:1–4. How do these verses help us understand all that is involved in what we have been shown in Zechariah about what it means to be wearing “rich robes”?
Now that Joshua was covered in the garments of holiness, his life was to reflect that holiness. We are to exert all the God-given power offered the soul to have victory over sin. No sin should be tolerated or excused in our lives, not when there are so many promises of victory for the one who has given himself or herself to Christ. Christ’s life proved we can live in obedience to God’s law. When we sin, we are choosing to sin. How important that we always think long and hard on the implications of that choice.
What are the sins you especially struggle with? What promises can you claim so that you can have the victory over them promised you in Christ?
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