Yet we should never be content with a sinful life. It is a thought that should arouse Christians to greater zeal and earnestness in overcoming evil, that every defect in character, every point in which they fail to meet the divine standard, is an open door by which Satan can enter to tempt and destroy them; and, furthermore, that every failure and defect on their part gives occasion to the tempter and his agents to reproach Christ. We are to exert every energy of the soul in the work of overcoming, and to look to Jesus for strength to do what we cannot do of ourselves. No sin can be tolerated in those who shall walk with Christ in white. The filthy garments are to be removed, and Christ’s robe of righteousness is to be placed upon us. By repentance and faith we are enabled to render obedience to all the commandments of God, and are found without blame before Him. Those who shall meet the approval of God are now afflicting their souls, confessing their sins, and earnestly pleading for pardon through Jesus their Advocate. Their attention is fixed upon Him, their hopes, their faith, are centered on Him, and when the command is given, “Take away the filthy garments, and clothe him with change of raiment, and set a fair miter upon his head,” they are prepared to give Him all the glory of their salvation. {5T 472.1}

Men vi må dog aldrig lade os nøje med et liv i synd. En tanke, der bør vække kristne mennesker til større nidkærhed og alvor for at overvinde det onde, er denne, at hver karakterfejl, hvert punkt, hvor vi ikke når op til det guddommelige ideal, er en åben dør, hvorigennem Satan kan trænge ind for at friste og ødelægge dem; og endvidere at hvert fejlgreb og hver mangel fra deres side giver fristeren og hans redskaber anledning til at forhåne Kristus. Vi skal anvende enhver sjælens evne til den opgave at sejre og søge Jesus om kraft til at gøre, hvad vi ikke formår af os selv. Ingen synd kan tåles hos dem, der skal vandre med Kristus i hvide klæder. De snavsede klæder skal fjernes og Kristi retfærdigheds kappe skal gives os. Ved omvendelse og tro sættes vi i stand til at vise lydighed mod alle Guds befalinger og til at findes uden lyde for ham. De, der skal opnå Guds bifald, ydmyger nu deres sjæle, bekender deres synder og beder alvorligt om tilgivelse gennem Kristus, deres talsmand. Deres opmærksomhed er fæstet ved ham, deres håb og deres tro drejer sig om ham og når befalingen lyder: »Tag de snavsede klæder af ham og giv ham højtidsklæder på og sæt et rent hovedbind på hans hoved,« er de beredte til at give ham al æren for deres frelse.