Invitation Challenge

Guilty as Charged?

 

 

 

Today’s challenge comes from Zechariah 3:1-10

Satan stands before the Lord and accuses us (Zechariah 3:1). “Satan” means accuser. Our accuser is like a prosecuting attorney who brings charges to God against God’s people. Satan is the “father of Lies,” but when he accuses us he is stating the truth. The reason we need a savior is because we are all sinners. It is the reality of our sin that separates us from God. We give Satan plenty of ammunition. Bad attitudes, selfish motives, hate we store in our heart, lust, envy, unforgiveness, failure to trust God, and all of the actions we take due to these sinful attitudes are all legitimate sins. We all stand guilty before God and Satan points out the obvious.

If we will believe in Jesus and place our hope and trust in Him, then God removes our sin-debt. He clothes us with perfect righteousness…not our own righteousness, but with Jesus’ righteousness (Zechariah 3:4 and 9) (see “Salvation” page above). We who follow Christ claim His righteousness and Christ, Himself, stands before the Father and intercedes for us. Because of Him we are forgiven and accepted. Apart from Christ, God’s forgiveness cannot be received.

God challenged me today, not with the reality of my salvation, but with my duty to share Jesus with others. I share that challenge with you who believe. In Zechariah 3:8-10, God tells us that we who believe are a symbol to point lost people to Jesus. In the power of the Spirit every one of us who believe is to invite our neighbor to abide in the saving “vine” of Jesus Christ and to enter into His rest (Zechariah 3:10). Let’s decide today to build relationships with the people around us and to share Jesus as God gives us opportunities.