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Little Man Who Became Important
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unforsaken sin. It is a principle of life that transforms the character
and controls the conduct. Holiness is wholeness for God, 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. In every
transaction he is to make it manifest that God is his teacher. “Holi-
ness unto the Lord” is to be written on ledgers, deeds, receipts, and
bills of exchange. Every converted soul will signal the entrance of
Christ into his heart by abandonment of unrighteous practices. Like
Zacchaeus he will give proof of his sincerity by making restitution.
“If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed,
walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity, he shall
surely live.”
Ezekiel 33:15
.
If we have injured others, 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
to restore not only that which we have taken, but all that it would
have accumulated if put to a wise use during the time it has been in
our possession.
To Zacchaeus the Saviour said, “This day is salvation come to
this house.” Christ went to his home to give him lessons of truth,
and to instruct his household in the things of the kingdom. Shut out
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from the synagogues by the contempt of rabbis and worshipers, now
they gathered in their own home about the divine Teacher and heard
the words of life.
When Christ is received as a personal Saviour, salvation comes
to the soul. Zacchaeus had received Jesus, not merely as a passing
guest, but as One to abide in the soul temple. The scribes and
Pharisees accused him as a sinner, but the Lord recognized him as a
son of Abraham. See
Galatians 3:7, 29
.
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