Watch for the word righteousness in the Bible. This refers to an
individual being right with God. While there are matters of importance
which God lays out before those who seek Him, getting right with Him
is surely key.
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt. 6:33). Why
are we called to seek His righteousness? Ours is a flop. No preacher,
no faithful church attendee, no Bible reader can get themselves right
with God on their own good deeds. Many try. Others believe they
succeeded. But if it’s not God’s rightness, it isn’t valid. If we don't know to look for God's righteousness to be applied to ourselves, we will conclude the pursuit of God is vain for we will decide we aren't good enough.
Be encouraged by II Cor. 5:21: He made him who knew no sin to be sin
on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God. There it
is! The way anyone gets right with God is not based on our religious
efforts but on Jesus’ bad deeds? What? Yes, one is right with God on
the basis of how bad Jesus became on the cross. He became each of our
sinful acts. Jesus became kitty litter on the cross to absorb every
dark sin we’ve committed. He traded places with us.
No one gets right with God on their own goodness. He makes us right just as he made Jesus
wrong. The trade has been completed. It might encourage you to take a
good look at Jesus. He died for you…that you could live for Him.
What a trade!
What a God!
What a Savior!
1 comment:
Every time I start thinking like this or read passages like these, I am overwhelmed by the grace of God. I quickly go into defense mode. BUT, you have to respond! My third thought after having this conversation several times is, how can I help but respond. The first response is so much about wanting to make myself look better. Today, I am with Paul, saying, "What a wretched man I am. Who will deliver me..." The answer, Jesus. It is not about what I do. It is about what He did.
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