September 30th, 2020
We are justified by the work, life, death, and resurrection of Christ. God sees us as He sees Jesus: perfect. I look at my life and see anything but perfection. I see anger, jealousy, overindulgence, the list goes on and on.
At times I also see God at work because “the righteous shall live by faith” not by works of the law.
Christ obeyed all of the laws we have broken, are breaking, and will break. He became flesh and dwelt among us.
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:2
The question Paul has asked us and the people of Galatia is a good one. “Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3
It is a good question to ask ourselves. Are we relying on the strength of Christ or on our own abilities? If we ask ourselves the question Paul presents, we are forced to say, “no, that isn’t how this goes.” We have begun by the Spirit and we are being perfected by the Spirit too
Not even knowing you, I can say this to you just as it does in the book of Philippians.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
We can empower and encourage one another with those words, even when we don’t know everything about one another, because we know the One working in another’s life. Our confidence is not in the abilities of our neighbor but in Christ. I know that God started your faith, He is sustaining your faith, He is using you for good works, and He will bring it all to completion when Christ comes again.
We can empower and encourage one another with those words, even when we don’t know everything about one another, because we know the One working in another’s life. Our confidence is not in the abilities of our neighbor but in Christ. I know that God started your faith, He is sustaining your faith, He is using you for good works, and He will bring it all to completion when Christ comes again.
I can encourage you with the words of scripture, but I can’t promise life will be all sunshine and roses. God’s work will be accomplished, and suffering will still be there. God’s work will be accomplished, and there will be hard days. If you are experiencing suffering, take comfort/rest knowing that in the good and in the bad God is working for you. In the good and in the bad, He is bringing the good work to completion, even when we don’t feel it.
This is not just a message to “hang in there.” The gospel is the message of Christ hanging on to you. The gospel is not a motivational sentiment to get you to pull yourself up by your bootstraps. The gospel tells us over and over that Christ is the One at work.
Being righteous is not something we do apart from Christ. Walking in faith does not mean making sure each step is the right step.
The righteous living by faith means we can have confidence in our God to bring His work in our lives to completion. We can carry that gospel truth around for ourselves and we can encourage others with that gospel message.
The Download for today is to pass along to another. Write them a little note of encouragement in Christ.
Loved In Spite of Self 