It has occurred to me this past week that my righteousness is as filthy rags. Now, you may be asking yourself, did David just become a Christian? (Don't tell his wife or employer.) What struck me so severely is that I think, as Christians, we realize this truth for ourselves before we come to Christ, or for unbelievers after we come to Christ, but not really for ourselves once He's redeemed us. Stay with me now. As a covenant community of gospel believers, we must believe that grace is the essential and only element in salvation. We cannot save ourselves and no degree of self improvement or religiosity can change that fact. I remember the illustration Dr. Kennedy used to give. If one were faced with a sturdy bridge that traversed most of a bottomless chasm, would you dare to cross it if you were being chased by a hungry group of cannibals (embellishment mine)? The decision would probably be based on the word "most". If the bridge was sturdy for 100 ft and then the last inch of the bridge was sewing thread, would you take a chance? No matter how much of the bridge was sewing thread, the answer would be "no". It would have to be 100 % sturdy to cross the bridge. Why? Because the slightest amount of poor or weak material would result in destruction. So it is with salvation. If we are trusting mostly in Christ, you might as well trust in the promises of a politician. You will fall. Our works, good deeds, sweet thoughts, goodness, whatever you want to call them will result in our undoing and utter failure.
Now this is my point. As Christians, what do we trust in for our acceptance before God, our continued right relationship with God, God's approval and favor? Do we look to our obedience to compare ourselves to others, and see if we measure up? Do we say to God, look at all the money I'm giving to missions, or look how much of the Bible I've memorized, or how much I pray or study Your word, or how much I care for the poor, or share the gospel? If so, my brothers and sisters, we have fallen from grace and returned to the dung heap. If there is anything that Galatians teaches us, it is that grace is all that saves and all that sanctifies. Our righteousness is still "as filthy rags" before a holy God. What makes us acceptable, and beloved, and favored now is still Christ's righteousness, not ours. Christ takes the stench of our seeming goodness and as our High Priest who is easily touched with the feelings of our infirmities offers it covered by His righteousness. The gift of His righteousness is what saves us, the gift of His righteousness is what sanctifies us.
As a famous songwriter put it:
It is not who we are but what He has done
It is not what we've done but who He is.
May we walk in the freedom of knowing that Christ's righteousness is ours!!!
A discussion of truth, spiritual issues, and how they play out in our lives.
