This morning, the Lord came to me in the most gentle and powerful way quieting my anxious mind. He said, “Righteousness cannot be accumulated. It is Mine and is given by Me by faith.” This is such a simple and profound thought. Righteousness is not earned; therefore, we cannot bank it for the future or lose it either. If I work, then I am paid as a debt owed me. I can take the money and not spend it all; I can put it into a bank to use in the future. If I overspend and use all my money, I can borrow from what I saved or be in debt to the future.
In Jesus, every day begins new. I carry no righteousness from yesterday into today. Like Israel, I gather manna in the morning for the day. Today’s manna will stink and grow worms tomorrow, as will yesterday’s righteousness. Now, I understood why I have to return to Jesus for today’s grace through faith.
So freeing and so compelling, rather than starting with yesterday’s righteousness, I start with Christ today in His righteousness. It means I start brand new every day. I start over every day. My righteousness does not follow me nor do my sins. When I come to Jesus in the new creation I have become – I become.
That I may gain Christ 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. Philippians 3:8b, 9
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