HAPPY TUESDAY!
Today’s scriptures are about being made the righteousness of God, in Christ. We speak about righteousness regularly, because God requires it of us, but what exactly does it mean? The word righteous is defined: characterized by, proceeding from, or in accordance with accepted standards of morality, justice, or uprightness; virtuous. If we’re made into righteousness, then we’re expected to conduct ourselves righteously, but wait… How are we supposed to do that, if the flesh is weak, and a man in the flesh is prone to sin? The answer to that question is found in the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness, and it’s because of Him that God sees us as righteous. God created us for Himself, and sin separated us from Him, so He brought us back to Him. It’s written: For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Col. 1:19-20)
We see similar stories every day—a parent sacrificing him or herself so that their child could have the best out of life. Most parents sacrifice their freedom, sleep, money, time, and energy for their children, all because they love them. When you have children you trade yourself for them, and you’d very easily lay down your life to protect them. If we, being sinful creatures, can do this for your children, without so much as a second thought, what more will God do for us? When He came to earth in the flesh, He paid with His life, to afford us the fruits of the Spirit—righteousness, peace, joy, happiness, meekness, and self-control. However, He won’t make us follow the paths He’s laid out for us.
When our children grow into adulthood, we must step out of their way, and allow them to grow and mature. As much as we hope that they’ll follow the plans that we’ve laid out for them, they sometimes stray. However, if we’ve instilled morals and values into them, led by example, and gave them a great foundation and sense of discernment, they’ll get back on the right path. I remember hearing a comedian say that every parent wants their child to grow up and be successful, respectful, intelligent, and able to go out and make a good life for themselves, but that doesn’t always happen. He said, “Nobody will look at their newborn baby and say, ‘ah, look at my little crack-head or rapist’, they say ‘ah, look at my little doctor or lawyer’”. As funny as that was, it struck a chord in me, this is such a true statement, because God feels the same way about us.
We were predestined from the beginning of time to accomplish His will. We are so special to Him, that He knew His thoughts of us before we were formed in our mother’s womb. He was aware of the evil to come in the world, so He gave up the life of His own Son, who never sinned, so that we could have life. Jesus didn’t deserve to die the way that He died, because He did nothing but right. He is righteousness, but He took on our sins, so that we wouldn’t have to pay the ultimate price. With this being true, why do so many believers live as if they don’t know God? Why are so many of us walking around defeated, and wallowing in sin and self-pity? If you’re a believer in Christ Jesus, and you battle with the enemy daily and it feels like he’s winning, then I hope this message frees you today. God loves you much greater than any earthly parent could love a child. He looks at you and sees nothing but your heart, because Jesus blood covers our “not so perfect parts”. In God’s eyes you are righteous, so all you have to do is believe it for yourself, and live accordingly.
I hope knowing that you are made righteous through Christ has lifted the weight of trying to be perfect on your own. Righteousness comes by the grace of God, through Christ Jesus. I love how Paul explains it: Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. (Col. 1:21-22) Paul wasn’t a nice man before he met Jesus on that Damascus road, but God choose him to be a great Apostle, and He can do the same for you. No one is all bad, because we were created by the almighty God. If you don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior, all God sees is the sins you’ve committed, but you can be forgiven and made righteous simply by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. Take that step today! Click on the link to take the God Quiz right now! My favorite verses today are: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.( Titus 3:5-6)
ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455587&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio
http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/Broadcast/
I love you!
No comments:
Post a Comment