In today's reading of Zechariah all kinds of interesting things are happening. We see flying scrolls, a vision of a woman in a basket, four chariots... we also see the seriousness of sin.
"Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that swarth shall be cut off as on that side according to it." Zech. 5:3
I'm captivated by a thought in the margin of my Bible this morning, that comes from Christ Object Lessons, p. 316. It reads as follows:
The righteousness of Christ will not cover one cherished sin. A man may be a law-breaker in heart; yet if he commits no outward act of transgression, he may be regarded by the world as possessing great integrity. But God’s law looks into the secrets of the heart. Every act is judged by the motives that prompt it. Only that which is in accord with the principles of God’s law will stand in the judgment.
God is love. He has shown that love in the gift of Christ. When “He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” He withheld nothing from His purchased possession. (John 3:16.) He gave all heaven, from which we may draw strength and efficiency, that we be not repulsed or overcome by our great adversary. But the love of God does not lead Him to excuse sin. He did not excuse it in Satan; He did not excuse it in Adam or in Cain; nor will He excuse it in any other of the children of men. He will not connive at our sins or overlook our defects of character. He expects us to overcome in His name.We are all sinners... We all fight daily with impure and selfish motives in our heart. Even the good things we do are covered in sin (Isa. 64:6). Let us confess our sins and ask for His covering. That is our only safety. Love this additional passage that just came to my mind here as I'm reading...
Christ has pledged Himself to be our substitute and surety, and He neglects no one. There is an inexhaustible fund of perfect obedience accruing from His obedience. In heaven His merits, His self-denial and self-sacrifice, are treasured as incense to be offered up with the prayers of His people. As the sinner’s sincere, humble prayers ascend to the throne of God, Christ mingles with them the merits of His own life of perfect obedience. Our prayers are made fragrant by this incense. Christ has pledged Himself to intercede in our behalf, and the Father always hears His Son. (This comes from the Australian Union Record, June 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 14)So thankful for His righteousness! The GREATEST gift of all time! Not just today, but every day of the year!
Tomorrow's Reading: Zech. 7-8 and Revelation 19
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