Where does righteousness come from? Is it intrinsically inside of you and comes out when you are squeezed hard enough?
Is it something you can obtain by training and trying hard and then you think entirely differently than you have your whole life?
No, to both of those lines of thought. Paul sums it up expressly in the last part of Galatians chapter 2. Don’t frustrate the grace of God by thinking righteousness came by any other way than the sacrifice of Christ on the cross (2:21).
Now you can begin your journey to complete your righteousness by not getting in God’s way . You are simply allowing the life of Christ to rule and reign in your body.
Speaking of that, how about an end of the year check-up on how you are doing? How is your behavior? Does it match up with your church behavior? How is your speech? Does it match up with your Sunday speech? How are the traits that most gave you trouble at the beginning of the year? Are they getting better or have you not allowed Jesus to rule and reign completely?
I think we should call the year 2023 “Challenge Accepted!”
There are things I want to be different in my life. How about you? Bring it on 2023, I have a big Savior and He wants to see me through. “Challenge Accepted.”
Pastor Brent