Imputed Righteousness - a gift!

 

The author of today’s devotional reading says that few Christians really understand the meaning of Christ being our righteousness. Is that true? Or are there many people who call themselves Christians and simply have not had any revelation from the Holy Spirit about this and are trying to live the Christian life without the rebirth and imputed righteousness that comes as a gift from God?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17–21)

These verses describes what happens when a person is truly saved. Their life is changed because Jesus takes our sin and gives us His righteousness. As the Bible says,

God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:28–31)

I have heard boasting. Proud voices say, “When I chose Jesus” yet Jesus says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:16)

Salvation is a work of God. A genuine believer cannot repeat words like justified or made righteous as part of some religious vocabulary nor have a vague idea of what this means. These are truths God reveals. We can forget them at times (when flesh takes over), but because of the Holy Spirit, we know that His new life has even given to us.

The devotional writer rightly says “I cannot explain it theologically” yet speaks of righteousness as a supply we can draw from God when needed, as if behavior is the only meaning of righteousness. New life does change a person’s way of doing things, but it is first a statement of who we are in Christ. His righteousness is not a mere commodity to draw on in fresh supply as if it were a jug of milk or a head of lettuce. It is a declaration of how God now sees me because of this great trade made by Jesus Christ when He bore my sin and died for it.

The Bible essentially tells me who I am in Christ and how to live as who I am. It does not list the character traits of Jesus as something to draw on when I feel like it, but this is my new nature and He has given it to me. Because of Jesus, I am righteous, holy, set apart for Him. It was His choice to grant this, not anything I did or can boast about. Faith believes it, and faith glorifies the One who gives it.

PRAY: Jesus, if nothing else I am reviewing Your admonition to “defend the faith” as I read and try to understand ideas that put the onus on people for the work that You alone can and will do. To say I can draw a fresh supply of goodness when I need it is a sad understanding that makes some if not all of Your saving work my responsibility rather than Yours. Perhaps those who think this way have trouble with the “low and despised” part of salvation’s description and need something to boost their ego. I don’t know. All I know is that You saved me — for no other reason than it was Your choice to grant me forgiveness and new life. How can I express my gratitude other than glorifying You for what You have done?!

Why did Christ come?

Most days I read the Bible and God speaks to me, then I record what He said in my words. But sometimes I just need someone to preach to me. Today both happened. First, the devotional is a mini sermon, answering the question in the title: “Why did Christ come?”

One reason Jesus Christ came into the world was to establish righteousness for us as a perfect human being. He restored what we lost in our sin. God requires righteousness from us, but we are guilty: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus came to live without sin and in perfect obedience to establish righteousness before God for us. He is my representative . . .  

“For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19)

A second reason Christ came was to redeem his people by dying as our Substitute. He satisfied the wrath of God against sin when God took all our sin and put them on His Son. The law of God is satisfied by this trade: His righteousness for our sin.

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus also came to glorify his Father. The unseen God became visible so we can know what He is like and so we can know Him. The love of God is seen in the salvation and sacrifice offered through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son.

“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Hebrews 1:3)

As I read these things, I am drawn to worship and thanksgiving. But the Lord was not finished speaking to me. The second reference was from Isaiah and again speaks to why Jesus came. Both sets of answers are personal but this one is right now where I am at. My sister is with us for a few days. She has a form of dementia that robs her of remembering words and where she puts things. I am grieving; the person she was is no longer the person she is now. Sometimes I am annoyed and frustrated, but mostly brokenhearted as I watch her in her foggy prison. Jesus came to mend my sorrow, but also to build up and eventually restore her. She is His child and eventually will live in a perfect body with a clear mind.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.” (Isaiah 61:1–4)

Because I know all this is true, my sadness is somewhat lifted and I know that as this good word settles into my heart and I contemplate the promises of God with expectation. Perhaps full joy will return, but if not, I know there is a better day ahead.

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Jesus, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10) This is true for me, but also true for my dear sister.

What should I wear today?

How much time do I spend in personal grooming? I’m not sure, but most of us want to look nice and it is easy to waste minutes if not hours looking in the mirror or standing in the closet. How important is this for a Christian?

I know one simple soul who daily asks God what to wear. She puts great emphasis on her outer appearance because she wants to make a good impression as a believer in Jesus Christ. Some sects take the opposite stand and say that plainer is better. Is there a balance? Or does God even care? What does the Bible say?

In the Old Testament, the most emphasis on clothing concerns what the priests should wear. Long descriptions of their ornamentation are summed up in this sentence:

And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. (Exodus 28:2)

The word order is significant. First holy, then glory, then beauty. That is, in the sight of God, being set apart for holiness has greater value than looking glorious or beautiful. He even uses terms about clothing to describe salvation and righteousness.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

Here, glory and beauty are not neglected, but the idea of being holy and clothed in holiness is more important. This is also brought out in the New Testament, particularly in verses about the adornment of women.

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. (1 Peter 3:3–4)

God does not say no to beautiful clothes. He is just more concerned with what goes on in the inner person. He talks about garments of praise and that I am clothed with the Lord Jesus. He says my ornaments are a meek and quiet spirit. For me, the bells on the hems of the priests garments translate into holy actions, words and purposes so that whenever I move, it is music to those around me.

In addition, many passages tell me that I am to put on new life as a daily practice, even using terms comparable to donning clothing.

Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:24)

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12–14)

From this and other verses, I know that when I get dressed each day, the first thoughts should be about my attitude and relationship to God. Am I adorned with the Spirit of Christ, or am I wearing my old clothes of self-centeredness and me-first?

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Lord, thanks for this reminder. Getting dressed each morning is more than a routine. It is an opportunity to think  about how you want me to be adorned. Each day, I have the choice to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make Your holiness my garment for the day. I should make reasonable choices about my clothing, but if holiness is the main part of my wardrobe, then glory and beauty will follow, regardless of the externals.