Your righteousness is from Christ alone

I am so thankful for the truth of God's word. I am thankful that I don't have to "do" anything to earn the righteousness of Christ. The righteousness of Christ and His salvation is solely based on Him and the fact that He gave up His life for me. He willingly laid down His life for you and for me, so that we might become His righteousness. It is a gift. "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified FREELY by His GRACE through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:22-23 As I meditate on those verses, I am so glad that it is not based on what I do. I could never do enough or be good enough to earn this grace and favor from God. I fall short every day. Yesterday, I found myself stressing over money and how I was going to pay bills. I was convicted as worrying is sin. Worry is saying to God, I don't trust You, so I am going to deal with this myself. I was grieved in my spirit. But 1 John 1:9 says that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Friend, you and I will fall short daily, we will disappoint others, we will be selfish and may even fall into tempation, but thanks be to God that Jesus is interceding on our behalf to the Father. We have not arrived yet, we are not perfect, but we do have a God who is perfect,faithful, forgiving and true. "I have never seen the righteous forsaken." Psalm 37:25 I am so thankful that He will never turn His back on us. He will never say to His child, I am done with you. God loves you and me with a love that is everlasting. As we go through life, God continues to work in us, to transform us and make us more like His Son. This process is sometimes painful, but God is doing it for our good. He wants us to lean on Him in every circumstance, no matter how big or small. God knows just what we need at the perfect time. He knows exactly how long to keep us in the fire, and will take us out at the right moment. If only we will keep our eyes on Him....He will lovingly guide us and give us the grace we need to make it through. It is not about following rules and keeping commandments-although this does come after salvation-it is about our own personal relationship with our Father based on the finished work of Jesus at the cross. Aren't you so glad that salvation is not based on what you do? I am forever grateful and humbled at this truth. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10 Run to Him, cling to Him with everything in you. Know in your heart that He is love. He does everything out of love and to cause us to turn to Him and to turn from sin. Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us that we might become His righteousness. As you go through your day, thank God for His redeeming blood-His free gift of grace. "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparibly great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:17-19

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Live for God, not man

Paul wrote these words in Galations, "Am I now trying to win the approval of men or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." 1:10 Which one are you doing? Who do you place your confidence in? It is so easy to get caught up in pleasing other people, but we can never please everyone no matter how hard we try. We need to look to the One who is the author and finisher of our faith. Do everything that you do for the glory of God. He is the One you will stand before one day, not your spouse, your parents your children or your friends. We are called to be set apart. This means that sometimes we are to take a stand even when it is difficult and may (probably will) cause division. When Christ comes in and takes over, He begins to change you from the inside out. This is not something you can do on your own. Things you once did, you no longer have the desire to do and when you are tempted, God will show you the way ...
Read more

Hold on!

"The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24 We serve a God who is so faithful. He is faithful to us even when we are not. He has an appointed time for everything. And friend, His purpose will prevail. This is not in our time...we must remember, that it is in His perfect timing. He knows what is best for us and He will work ALL things for our good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. He uses all of our circumstances to conform us to the likeness of His Son Jesus. Romans 8:28-29 My friend, I don't know what you are going through or how long you have been waiting for the answer from God, but please do not give up. Don't lose hope in the fact that your God is mighty and powerful. Don't stop short of the answer. He tells us in His word to not get weary in well-doing, for in due season, if you faint not, you will receive your reward.Galatians 6:9 This is a promise from God Almighty. He cannot lie. But we have t...
Read more

Satan Is Your Enemy, Not People

I know there are times when it feels like others are truly your enemy, by the things they say or how they treat you, however, they are not your real enemy-satan is. While he does use people as part of his strategy, he is always the one behind the warfare. You must remember this at all times. Don't let satan catch you off guard. He will come at you especially during times you are tired both physically and emotionally. He comes only to kill, steal and destroy-your family, your testimony, your finances, your relationships and your health. satan is the father of lies, he was a murderer from the beginning and there is no truth found in him (John 8:44).      Satan has been deceiving people since the Garden of Eden where he first deceived Eve. He appeared to her and asked "Did God really say, you must not eat from any tree in the garden?" which caused her to question God (Genesis 3:1). Make no mistake, satan knows the word of God and he will distort it for his evil schemes. He...
Read more