GOD'S METHOD OF GRACE
Zechariah 3:3-5
We must be careful not
to suggest that sinners must meet certain qualifications, pass through the same
feelings, emotions, and experiences, or possess great knowledge before they can
be saved. It is the task of gospel preachers not to place obstacles in the
sinner's way, but to remove every obstacle that might hinder sinners fleeing to
Christ for refuge. Salvation is as simple and profound as this - "BELIEVE
ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED!" Yet, in the Scriptures
we are given many pictures of salvation which reveal God's method of grace. One
of those pictures is found in Zechariah 3:3-5. (Read the text carefully.) Here
is Joshua the High Priest of Israel. Though he was of the priestly line, he was
a sinner in need of grace. And what he experienced is a picture of God's grace.
This is what happens when God saves a sinner by his grace.
1. YOU MUST TAKE YOUR
PLACE AS A GUILTY SINNER BEFORE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (v. 3). Take the ground
God gives you. If you take your place as a sinner before God, he will lift you
up by his grace (I John 1:9).
2. YOUR SIN MUST BE
TAKEN AWAY (v. 4). Christ took our sins away judicially when he died upon the
cross (Heb.
3. THEN THE LORD JESUS
WILL CLOTHE YOU WITH CHANGE OF RAIMENT, THE GARMENTS OF SALVATION (v. 4). This
change of raiment is the righteousness of Christ, imputed to us in
justification and imparted to us in regeneration. Like a garment, it covers us,
protects us, warms us, and adorns us.
4. AT LAST, THE SINNER
WHOM GOD SAVES IS GIVEN THE MITRE OF ASSURED ACCEPTANCE (v. 5). The mitre of
the High Priest had a golden plate upon the front of it with these words
inscribed upon it - "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" (Ex. 28:36-38). The
sinner, with his sins washed away and Christ's righteousness imputed to him, is
assured of acceptance with God by faith in Christ. With his spotless garments
on, all who believe are as holy as God's own Son!
Don Fortner