PROCLAIM HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!
PROCLAIM HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!
My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long. —Psalm 35:8
Yes, I will proclaim Your righteousness and that righteousness You have given me—- “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (II Corinthians 5:21).
But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law. —Romans 3:21-28
This is truly astounding that all who call on the Name of the Lord Jesus receive the righteousness of God— “Now the words “it was credited to him” were written not only for Abraham, but also for us, to whom righteousness will be credited—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:23-25). God is so AWESOME that He credited His righteousness to our account when our account was absolutely empty of righteousness! How amazing is that?! Now that is something to boast about! — “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord” (I Corinthians 1:30-31).
This should completely humble us. We did not deserve this astounding mercy and grace that God has extended to us through His Son. The only boasting we can do is in what Jesus has done for us and that this was all a gift. — “For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” The danger is when we go beyond what God’s Word says! — “Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other” (I Corinthians 4:6). Going beyond what God’s Word says causes a person to become prideful as if they have received something that others have not and they attach themselves with those who they believe are of the same mindset. No, I will rest in Christ’s righteousness and praise His Name and not the name of another and what they say unless what they say agrees with God’s Word.
Dear Father, thank You for the clear teaching of Your Word. May I cling to Jesus and rest in His righteousness and live righteously for You as You give me the power to do so through Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZnGHJMrui4