Righteousness

Arizona Blooms

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,

 who has become for us wisdom from God--

that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 

 Therefore, as it is written: 

"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

1 Cor 1:30-31 (NIV)

It has taken me some time to realize that what I perceive of as my own righteousness and goodness is not enough.  After so many years of struggling with guilt and trying so hard to be good and always putting myself down, I have realized that my own righteousness will never be good enough.

The only thing that counts is the righteousness of Christ.  His righteousness has been imparted to me so I do not have to strive in my own strength to be good or to be anything at all.  I rely only upon his perfection.  Therefore, I can rest.  Why is this so hard for me.  Somewhere the striving, the perfectionism, the myth that performance equals acceptance has been impressed upon me.

This lie needs to be replaced with the truth that I am loved and accepted just as I am.  As I rest in him, all he desires for me will be accomplished.  My work is not the work of striving, but the rest of faith.

God, grant me rest today as I trust in the righteousness of Christ. Yours is the only righteousness and goodness that I have. I trust that that righteousness has been placed upon me and is working in me. 

My only hope is that I shall be clothed with the righteousness of Christ.  Martyn Lloyd Jones

Sinking

Peter stepped out of the boat onto the water

 and began walking toward Jesus. 

But when he remembered how strong the wind was, 

he lost his courage and began to sink.

 Mt. 14:29, 30

Our faith can fluctuate quickly in stops and starts.  Peter, in a moment of great faith, stepped out of the boat on to the fierce sea because he saw Jesus up ahead.  But, when he saw how strong the wind was and how high the waves he began to sink. 

Sometimes, like Peter, we step out in faith, out of our flimsy comfort zone, and move towards Jesus, believing he can get us through whatever we are facing. Then, when we look around and focus again on our problem rather than God, we are overcome by strong winds of emotion and waves of doubt. The power and strength of our problem looks bigger than God.

As soon as Peter began to sink he shouted, "Lord, save me!"   Jesus quickly reached out his hand and caught him and tenderly rebuked him saying, “Little Faith, why did you waver?” Then, Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat together and the wind was stilled. 

Sometimes we feel like our problem is too big for God.  That's the time to call out, “Lord, save me.”  He will not let us fall.  Even in our weakest moments, when our faith is small, Jesus does not condemn, but reaches out to catch and hold us and gently encourage us to believe again. Together, with God, we will get back to that boat and move through the sea of our problem until the wind dies down and the sea is calm.

Lord, I do believe.  Help my unbelief. (Mark 9:24)

http://raynoah.com/2011/04/14/water-walking-faith/