My Standing In Christ
"There
is not a just man upon the
earth,
that doeth good, and sinneth not"
-Ecclesiastes
7:20 [KJV]
The
word "just" means righteous. We know that the Lord’s
people are righteous in Christ, and yet, the inspired writer says
that not even a justified person "doeth
good and sinneth not."
All believers are aware of our sinfulness knowing that "all
our righteousnesses are as filthy rags"
(Isaiah 64:6), therefore we petition the Lord for fresh supplies of
pardoning grace (1 John 1:9). While the reality of our wretchedness
is ever before us, let us rejoice in the deliverance of sin by the
sacrificial obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ which is the sole
basis upon which God remains just and justifies the ungodly. It is
certainly true that, "in
me (that
is, in my flesh)
dwelleth no good
thing"
(Romans 7:18), and therefore nothing good can come forth from me.
However,
it is also true that I am accepted and declared to be the
righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). As my sins were
imputed to Him, so His righteousness has been imputed to me. I still
mourn over my sins, but I must not sink into depression as though
there were no hope. Let me rise from the despair of remorse to
rejoice in my Substitute and Savior for He paid my debt and satisfied
all the requirements necessary for my salvation. I praise Christ Who
"loved me
and gave Himself for me"
(Galatians 2:20). The Father is well pleased with Him, and with me
because of Him.
-Gospel report by preacher Jim Byrd
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