The fact that the acknowledged people of God are represented as standing before the Lord in filthy garments should lead to humility and deep searching of heart on the part of all who profess His name. Those who are indeed purifying their souls by obeying the truth will have a most humble opinion of themselves. The more closely they view the spotless character of Christ, the stronger will be their desire to be conformed to His image, and the less will they see of purity or holiness in themselves. But while we should realize our sinful condition, we are to rely upon Christ as our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption. We cannot answer the charges of Satan against us. Christ alone can make an effectual plea in our behalf. He is able to silence the accuser with arguments founded not upon our merits, but on His own. {5T 471.1}

Den omstændighed, at Guds anerkendte folk fremstilles som stående for Gud i snavsede klæder, bør lede alle, der bekender hans navn, til ydmyghed og hjerteransagelse. De, der i sandhed renser deres sjæle ved at lyde sandheden, vil have yderst ringe tanker om sig selv. Jo mere nøje de beskuer (472) Kristi pletfri karakter, desto stærkere vil deres ønske blive om at forvandles efter hans billede og desto mindre renhed og hellighed vil de se hos sig selv. Men medens vi bør indse vor egen syndige tilstand, skal vi stole på Kristus som vor retfærdighed, vor helliggørelse og vor forløsning. Vi kan ikke svare på Satans anklager mod os. Kristus alene kan fremlægge et virkningsfuldt forsvar til bedste for os. Han forstår at bringe anklageren til tavshed med argumenter, som ikke grunder sig på vor fortjeneste, men på hans.