Receive Forgiveness And Restoration.

The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” – Zech. 3:4 NIV

Receive Forgiveness And Restoration 31072020

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Joshua was the High Priest in Jerusalem during the reign of King Darius of Babylon and Prophet Zechariah. The Angel of the Lord had been shown to Prophet Zechariah asking God when He (God) will withhold His anger and restore Jerusalem with the Lord responding with kind and comforting words – Zech. 1:12. It no doubt indicated God’s intention to grant the request of the Angel as God promised to return with mercy to His house but will also return with measuring line indicating some form of assessment and judgement – Zech. 1:16-17.

It must have been the turn of the assessment of Joshua the High Priest in chapter three of the Book of Zechariah and who else but Satan was going to provide proof that Joshua the High Priest was not deserving of enjoying the upcoming peaceful dispensation that the Lord had promised. Verse three of that same chapter reveals the spiritual state of Joshua the High Priest. He was dressed in filthy clothes with Satan standing by his side as the accuser – Zech. 3:1. Satan was not making up stories as he was there to accuse the High Priest with sufficient evidence. As far as Satan was concerned, Joshua was not deserving of witnessing the new dispensation of peace and joy after several years in Babylon as exile but the Lord with the intervention of the Angel rebuked Satan letting him know that Joshua was a burning stick snatched from fire.

By this, it is implied that Joshua was still hot for things of the Lord when his case was been reviewed. It was for this reason that God instructed that his filthy dress be replaced with clean garments symbolizing the taking away of his sins.

This scripture confirms the position of the writer of the Bible book of Hebrews about the fact that even the a High Priest is not free from sin – Heb. 5:1-3. To the people, his dressing presents someone who is clean and sinless but before the throne of judgement, every transgression is made apparent as nothing can be hidden from the Lord – Heb. 4:13. You should know also that your sins and transgressions are always before him with the accuser, Satan always on hand to present these sins to the Lord as a reason why you are not deserving of His forgiveness and restoration – Rev. 12:10.

Joshua was lucky to have an advocate to represent his interest just as he had current works to be referenced to plead his case. The Angel in playing the role of advocate to High Priest Joshua recalled how Joshua was someone who was currently hot for the Lord. Who is your own advocate that will help present your case for forgiveness and restoration and what activity can be referenced in your favour? That you are a sinner is not in dispute as all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of the Lord – Rom. 3:23.

The Bible presents a greater advocate than the one that represented Joshua before the throne of judgement. His name is Jesus Christ. He is the Branch that the same chapter of Zechariah in verse 7 says God is going to raise to carry out the same role that God’s action on Joshua and the elders symbolise – Zech. 3:7. The Apostle John also revealed this in his letter to the Church (1Jn. 2:1) that should anyone sin, we have an advocate before the father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Indeed we worship a merciful God and no matter how bad your situation may be, with God there is always hope for you (Is. 1:18) but when it is time for mercy, who will be your advocate and what work will be credited to you. Jesus indeed shed his blood for the remission of sins but it is for only those who sincerely accept him as their Lord and Saviour. However, after receiving forgiveness for those sins, which work can be referenced that will entitle you to been worn a new dress like Joshua the High Priest – Zech. 3:4.

It is not sufficient to carry the banner of being born again with no recognised spiritual work to prove your new status. Your been born again does not mean that you do not sin again, it just means that by Grace it can no longer be accounted to you but for your life to take a complete turn around and be restored, your work will have to be referenced. Joshua’s hotness got him a new dress and by implication, restoration to his position as the High Priest, you also need those spiritual works to receive full restoration.

Accept Him as your Lord and Saviour today and receive full remission for your sin and have spiritually recognised works accounted to you so you can receive full restoration. May God help as you take the right decision to turn your situation around and begin to give positive testimonies in Jesus name. Amen.