March 24, 2019
And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Philippians 3:9
A woman worked as a maid in the house of a mean innkeeper. One day God saved her and she could not hide her happiness. What used to be drudgery turned into joy. The innkeeper was furious and began to belittle her. He hated her for being happy.
Finally, he said, “You say you’re saved and I can see your happiness. Can you tell me what being saved means?”
She answered, “To me, it feels as though I am standing in Jesus’ shoes, and He is standing in mine.” A theologian couldn’t have said it better.
2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He hath made Him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin [Jesus never sinned]; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”
When God looks at me, He sees me as righteous as Jesus Christ. Not because of my righteousness! You say, “Who do you think you are?” A Christian, that’s who. Born again, cleansed by His blood. Philippians 3:9—“Not having my own righteousness, which is by the law, but the righteousness which is through Jesus Christ…by faith.”
That’s what Christianity is all about. When we see the bankruptcy of our old self—not just our sinful things, but even our “good” things—we lay them all aside, that we might gain Him. How do you gain Christ? By faith. You believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Have you come to realize that in Jesus you are now clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ and you’ve been “made the righteousness of God”? It is the gift of God, through His Son, Jesus Christ.
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”