Zacchaeus
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cover of their sacred calling. But no sooner did Zacchaeus yield to the
influence of the Holy Spirit than he cast aside every practice contrary
to integrity.
No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The
righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and un-
forsaken sin; it is a principle of life that transforms the character and
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controls the conduct. Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire
surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven.
The Christian in his business life is to represent to the world the
manner in which our Lord would conduct business enterprises. In every
transaction he is to make it manifest that God is his teacher. “Holiness
unto the Lord” is to be written upon daybooks and ledgers, on deeds,
receipts, and bills of exchange. Those who profess to be followers
of Christ, and who deal in an unrighteous manner, are bearing false
witness against the character of a holy, just, and merciful God. Every
converted soul will, like Zacchaeus, signalize the entrance of Christ
into his heart by an abandonment of the unrighteous practices that
have marked his life. Like the chief publican, he will give proof of his
sincerity by making restitution. The Lord says, “If the wicked restore
the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life,
without committing iniquity; ... none of his sins that he hath committed
shall be mentioned unto him: ... He shall surely live.”
Ezekiel 33:15,
16
.
If we have injured others through any unjust business transaction,
if we have overreached in trade, or defrauded any man, even though it
be within the pale of the law, we should confess our wrong, and make
restitution as far as lies in our power. It is right for us to restore not only
that which we have taken, but all that it would have accumulated if put
to a right and wise use during the time it has been in our possession.
To Zacchaeus the Saviour said, “This day is salvation come to this
house.” Not only was Zacchaeus himself blessed, but all his household
with him. Christ went to his home to give him lessons of truth, and to
instruct his household in the things of the kingdom. They had been shut
out from the synagogues by the contempt of rabbis and worshipers;
but now, the most favored household in all Jericho, they gathered in
their own home about the divine Teacher, and heard for themselves
the words of life.