Thank God for the gift of righteousness
In Colossians 1:22-23 [NIV]:- It says:
"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." (Author's emphasis)
I specifically like the phrase - "if you continue in your faith", implying that there will be many times in life when we want to give up on our faith. We feel down-beaten, down-trodden, unsuccessful and unholy. During those times, we need to reactivate our faith and believe that God has freely given us a gift of righteousness. Not because of our works but by what Jesus did for us on the cross.
Today I want to stir up your faith to believe that despite how you feel and how much you have stumbled, Christ has redeemed you from the curse of the law. Confess and repent from your sins and know that God is ready to accept you as His blameless, holy and righteous child.
When God's promises in your life seem to be violated by life circumstances, there is high temptation to think that God does not love you anymore and that somehow, you are being judged for your sins. If that sounds like you, then here is some good news. The bible is full of promises and explanations about what happens to the righteous.
"…for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes." Proverbs 24:16 [NIV]. According to this, when you fail many times in life but still have the faith to pray and trust in God for your salvation, God sees this as righteousness. What you do when you fall is what matters.
Listen to what God will do if you do not give up seeking Him in your failures and circumstances:
"So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!" Hebrews 10:35 [NIV]
After a long period of suffering (financial and career loss, loss of his children, suffering from a terrible disease and condemnation by well-meaning friends), Job was eventually restored by God. The bible says:
"The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the former part." Job 42:12 [NIV].
Job was a righteous man yet he suffered a lot.
"The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all"
Psalm 34:20 [NIV]
"Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master's Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time....You've heard, of course, of Job's staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That's because God cares, cares right down to the last detail." James 5: 7- 11 [MSG]
Farai Mutsambiwa | |
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