Written last evening.
It’s been one of those beautiful blessed days. We went to the domain today (like a park, but out in the country and it isn’t as trimmed and polished as one in town), and I basked in the beautiful green, green scenery and the blue, blue sky. It was indescribably gorgeous. I love spring days!
Through different Bible studies lately—what others have pointed out to me, and more personal studies, I’ve had some fascinating thoughts come up. Since I have the chance tonight, I thought I’d jot them down and share.
There are two things I have in mind especially—God’s righteousness and overwhelming goodness.
Just recently, while reading through a study on “justice” in a great book named The Power for True Success published by IBLP, there was a fascinating thought mentioned. This book is VERY in-depth, and I rarely comprehend everything they’re trying to teach. However, one point stuck out to me. I know I’ve heard the teaching before, but I never fully understood all that it implies.
It was so pretty! Love the spring colors. Also had to get a picture of my handsome oldest brother.
Once we are Christians, in God’s eyes, we are completely covered in Christ’s righteousness. This means that all those sins we’ve done, all those bad thoughts and cruelty…everything is covered by the blood and we are counted righteous.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. — 2 Corinthians 5:21
We know Jesus was of perfect character and perfect righteousness (He “knew no sin”!). And yet He was willing to take upon Himself the sins of the world, and substitute His sinless life in our place, so that we could have His righteousness.
Completely covered is, in my mind, like one of the burqas you see sometimes. No trace left of who is actually underneath—that’s how much Jesus loves us!
Wow.
Then there’s this whole thing on God’s overwhelming goodness. You know those verses in John 10 about the good shepherd? As my friend Rachel recently pointed out, there are some golden promises in verses 28–29. Jesus says here that He has given us—all those who hear His voice and follow Him (notice, “follow” is an action word)—eternal life. Furthermore, “neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” No one.
So we’ve got a double-whammy here. When we accept Jesus at the cross, and continue to follow Him, God immediately imputes Jesus’ righteousness onto us. Like a burqa, except instead of being a hindrance and cumbersome weight it’s pure, beautiful freedom. Freedom from the ugly desires and lusts of the world, and the immense gift of someone who truly cares for us and will help us when we turn to Him (and often before we even think to ask, or know we need to ask!).
What an amazing God we serve!
