"Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?" (NIV) vs. 2
While we were yet sinners we waited by the fire, living in a state of hopelessness, but the power of God came and gave us a way to Him. In knowing this we sought after the face of God; forsaking our old ways. This repentance, however, came with the enemy railing accusations on us, pointing out the filthy garments that we had worn for so long. So God made a way of cleansing us from this sin of yesterday and brought us to a watery grave, where clean garments worthy for a priest to wear were placed on us as we stepped out of the water, watching the amazement of the enemy who saw us as if we had never sinned.
Yes, through repentance, and baptism we were made clean before God, but this was only part of what we were to do to continue in His grace. "If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here." It was through receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost that we were enabled to truly keep his ways and requirements; through which we will have a place among those who will stand in the kingdom of God.
Joshua the high preist had lived and experienced a shadow of our salvation, which is being given today by the redeeming powers of Jesus. It was that day after experiencing the shadow of things to come that God spoke to him of our saviour, who would set free the ones who would seek after Him. He is the Branch, the one who took away all the iniquities of the land in one day. Through the work of Calvary we no longer have to wear the filthy garments of sin, but clean garments that are fit for priests, so that we may live in newness of life and always do His will.
Mike Creel
