| Lift Me! May 25, 2005 |
1 Cor. 1:29-31NKJV 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." God is a righteous God. We can never achieve His level of righteousness on our own. So He sent His Son to give us a lift. Jesus died so that we would be made righteous and once again be acceptable in the sight of our Father. Jesus bridges the enormous gap that is placed between us and the Father because of our sin. It's like Jesus picks us up and places us on His shoulders so that we can reach God's level of righteousness. Just as an older brother picks up the younger. Without Jesus' help, we would burn out from trying to obtain righteousness on our own. Works are not enough to get us over the gap. Only the redeeming blood of Jesus can do that. So if you've been trying to become righteous on your own, you won't make it. You are as filthy rags before God (Is 64:6). We all have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). If you truly want to be made righteous then you need to ask Jesus for a lift. I want a turn! Lift me, Jesus! Romans 5:16-18 NKJV 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned [Adam]. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. I hope you enjoyed reading the word of God in a new light. Have a Happy Wednesday! God Bless, Min. Tommy & Sis. Shatika Gray Scripture References NKJV 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Isaiah 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away. Acts 20:32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Philippians 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, |