We should understand that cleanliness is next to Godliness. From the biblical account, heaven is a very clean, resplendent and beautiful place. God, therefore, delights in serene, clean and beautiful environment. People who serve God must have both clean heart and body for them to draw close to God and to render acceptable services to Him.
Rom.12v1 says: “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present yourselves a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Dirty, ugly and disorganised environment is likely a turn off both the presence and blessings of God.
This was evidence in Joshua the high Priest’s encounter with God as recorded in Zechariah 3:1-4 saying: “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2: And the Lord said unto Satan, the Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3: Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 4:
And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, ‘take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” This encounter is evidence that dirtiness, untidiness disorganised activities and are avenues through which the Devil can come into the life of a Christian to block whatever God has in stock for the person.
It also proves wrong, people who may think they are in right standing with God, while they are not. We must at all times watch and test our standing with our God. This vision again is meant to set forth the reinstatement of Israel into their priestly office. It discloses a number of things; firstly, the change from self-righteousness to the righteousness of God. This is a warning and an advice to people who think they are serving God when they have not repented and given their life to our Lord Jesus Christ. Secondly, it is a preparation of the Israelites for the receiving of our Lord Jesus Christ referred in this scripture as the Lord’s Branch and for the deliverance of the Jews of their refusal to abandon self-righteousness for the righteousness of God, which blinded them to the presence of the Branch amid them at His first advent.
In the lead scripture above, it is clear we all are unclean things as we are born in sin through our first parents, Adam and Eve. Our self-righteousness in that sinful state is like a filthy rag, which cannot stand before God because God does not behold iniquity. As a result of our sinful state, God must work on us to bring us to the state of His own level of righteousness acceptable unto Him. God will only work on us when we give Him the chance to enter into us by accepting our Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Jesus Christ is equally ready to come into us and work in us. That is why the Bible says in Matthew 11:27-28: “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Our Lord Jesus Christ is ready to give us all things as the father has given Him including new garments, salvation of our souls, deliverance and all other necessities of life, provided we are obedient to His words by repenting from all our sins.
We must also allow Him to work on us by purging away all our sins, which is represented by the filthy garments.
There are spiritual advantages of removing filthy garments, especially in this New Year, which is just 24 hours away. It is a time for repentance from all known and unknown sins and draw closer to God in order to serve Him better. It is time to reconcile with people you have problems with in whatever circumstance.
It is a period of ensuring nothing stands between you and your God. The removal of filthy garment is significant of freedom from bondage of the Devil and any link with his agents. Isaiah 61:10 says: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” When the filthy garment is removed, God will clothe us with garment of righteousness.
The righteousness of God in contrast to self-righteousness will prepare us for the rapture of the saints when the trumpet shall sound. We will be in steady watch out for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we are clothed with the raiment of righteousness, the spirit of God will lead and direct us in all our actions. When there is honest service to God, there will be divine protection for us. Be determined, therefore, to ensure you will open yourself to things of God and also to serve Him with your heart as you enter this New Year, 2024. You will make heaven at last in Jesus’ name.
