September 21, 2023
Topic: HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
Text: Phil 3:6-12
Memory Verse: “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” Phil 3:9
One of the things that distinguishes God from man is the fact that He is inherently righteous. He is the total embodiment of everything right, for nothing can be found in Him that is not right.
Our sense of God’s righteousness must transcend our sense of morality which many are quick to lay claim to, and in a subtle way, make of little significance, the necessity of being clothed with His righteousness. Beloved, you can never attain the righteousness of God by resorting to human scales, for His righteousness comes from above, it is given and not earned, and has to be appropriated and personalized for it to have relevance and meaningful impact in our lives. Indeed, it comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Apostle Paul, while he was yet Saul of Tarsus, had all the ingredients on a morally wholesome scale as a Jew, in that while he was persecuting the Church of God, he felt he was on a great mission, doing God some great good. How often we forget that all our acts of righteousness in their very nature do not measure up to Christ’s own righteousness, for they are all but filthy rags in His sight (Isaiah 64:6). When we come close to understanding who God is in the light of His righteousness, we will then begin to experience Him in a higher dimension and soon realise how unworthy we are without Him (Isaiah 6:1-7).
“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Rom 10:3
Another dimension of His righteousness is in the exercise of His judgement over us and the way He disciplines us. The Psalmist declared that the reason God desires always to restore our souls and to lead us in the paths of righteousness is for the sake of His name (Psalms 23:3); for whosoever He calls, He purifies; and whom He loves, He chastises ( Heb, 12:5-11; 2Pet 2:4-9).
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to be clothed with the garments of your own righteousness and not mine that are often soiled with spots, wrinkles and blemishes, in Jesus name. Amen.