"LET THY GARMENTS BE ALWAYS WHITE." One day, soon, the redeemed of the Lord shall stand before God's throne, clothed with white robes, washed in the blood of the Lamb, and accepted by God. God never accepts our works while we are His avowed enemies: this would be to accept the works of a rebel, of a traitor, of one who is at enmity against Him. God accepts our persons when we accept His Son. Jesus is presented to us in the gospel as God's free gift, as a Saviour suited to our case, as a blessing which includes all we do. This gift is rejected by men in general; they put it from them and treat it with contempt. We did this once. But when the Holy Spirit quickened our souls, enlightened our minds, and wrought faith in our hearts, then we gladly embraced Him. Having received Christ from God, we are received by God from Christ; we are accepted in Him, and entitled to all spiritual blessings through Him. God now accepts our works, poor, imperfect, and worthless as they are : because they are the works of a beloved child, the efforts of a feeble friend, the productions of a loyal subject. The cup of cold water, the will to do, or give, when we have not the power, is accepted, and placed to our account.

For Meditation:
Accepted in Jesus and living on Him,
His promise I trust and His precepts esteem;
I strive to be holy, I labour for God,
And my works are approved through His merit and blood.