| | It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and
peace, to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are
the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I
do not think they would if they could always see their perfection in
Christ. There are some who are always talking about corruption, and
the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul. This is
quite true, but why not go a little further, and remember that we are
"perfect in Christ Jesus." It is no wonder that those who are dwelling
upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks; but surely
if we call to mind that "Christ is made unto us righteousness," we
shall be of good cheer. What though distresses afflict me, though
Satan assault me, though there may be many things to be experienced
before I get to heaven, those are done for me in the covenant of
divine grace; there is nothing wanting in my Lord, Christ hath done it
all. On the cross he said, "It is finished!" and if it be finished,
then am I complete in him, and can rejoice with joy unspeakable and
full of glory, "Not having mine own righteousness, which is of the
law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
which is of God by faith." You will not find on this side heaven a
holier people than those who receive into their hearts the doctrine of
Christ's righteousness. When the believer says, "I live on Christ
alone; I rest on him solely for salvation; and I believe that, however
unworthy, I am still saved in Jesus;" then there rises up as a motive
of gratitude this thought-"Shall I not live to Christ? Shall I not
love him and serve him, seeing that I am saved by his merits?" "The
love of Christ constraineth us," "that they which live should not
henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them." If
saved by imputed righteousness, we shall greatly value imparted
righteousness.
Do you want to know what thrills me? It is the fact that God's Spirit
brings these truths to his people in all times, to all kinds of
people, in every sort of circumstance. Recently Tim was telling me
this very thing by way of encouragement. Then one day shy of a week
later I read it here. How cool is our God? |
| | Posted 1/31/2007 7:05 AM - 22 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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