For a while now I have been seeking.
Seeking what?
Honestly I didn’t know, but I’ve worked really hard doing it.
What a difference the Gospel of Grace makes. You see, I knew I was saved, and I had faith that Jesus died for me, right? I knew His blood washed away all of my sins.
What I didn’t know was how to be righteous, holy, sanctified, justified, and all that other stuff Christians tell me I have to do to be a “good Christian.” I have been told do this and do that and “You’ll get there!” Well, all that got me was tired and frustrated. Joy, peace, and rest – I had – but only sometimes when I felt like I had been good enough.
Then, I began to read the Word of God.
It’s so simple. How did I miss it all this time?
Let’s start here in Matt. 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
First you can’t have a Kingdom without a King. Our King is Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. So we found out that the Kingdom is Jesus. Now we have to seek His righteousness. What part of IT IS FINISHED didn’t I get?
2 Cor 5:21: “For He made Him who knew no sin [to be] sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Rom 5:1: “Having been declared righteous, then, by faith, we have peace toward God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Did you see that Jesus took all my sin so I could become the righteousness of God in Him? Have faith.
How about the part in Romans that talks about “having been declared righteous by faith through Jesus.” Having been – that’s past tense. Nothing else to do to become righteous.
If you’re seeking righteousness through your own works, or your own behavior, you’ve missed it. Maybe if I help the old lady next door, if I go visit someone that’s sick, or if I never miss a church service… then maybe I’ll be righteous. Granted, these are all good things, but that’s not His righteousness, that’s yours (i.e. self-righteousness).
So here it is:
Jesus’ part: Live a sinless, perfect life. Get beaten, humiliated, bloodied, spit on, crucified, then take all your sin and die. Defeat sin, death, and hell, and be declared the King of Kings by God’s standard.
Your part: Believe in your King and be declared righteous because you are now in His kingdom.
Grace is a gift that Jesus paid a high price for. Enjoy. Relax.
IT IS FINISHED!
Chad Hutchinson 