To continue in this topic, let's go deeper into what God has provided for us in Christ Jesus. We should remember, as Mrs. Sheila Atchley pointed out in her recent blog, righteousness is not some thing that grows in us. It is the free gift of God in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us righteousness, wisdom, sanctification, and everything else that pleases God. HE is righteousness incarnate, and all who have faith in Him, who are placed in Him by God, are righteous. 1 Corinthians 1:30 states all this, including the fact that of Him(God), we are in Christ Jesus. We can't even boast of our faith that got us into this grace by which we stand. Vs. 31 states :
"Therefore, as it is written, ' Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.'"
God chose the foolish and base things of the world to confound the wise, so that no flesh can glory, or boast, in God's presence. Paul said that even Abraham had no place to boast before God, though he had some good works.
"For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to Him as righteousness.' Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift, but as his due. And to the one who does not work but trusts in the One who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 'Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.' "
These passages of Scripture so blow me away. They are my bread in times of discouragement. Why? Because I love to sin and get away with it? Baloney! God is my witness, how I have hungered, and thirsted, and mourned for righteousness, from the viewpoint of knowledge of my wicked heart. And Jesus said that is a blessed condition in which to be, for I shall be filled, says He. And filled with Him I am! I know now more than ever what the writer meant by: "..that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." And this verse follows yet another instance of Christ bearing our reproach. Then we get to translate this grace to one another:
"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."
How has Christ welcomed us? With forgiveness, with grace, with love which covers a multitude of sins. How much more should we welcome one another, as we all stand in the same grace together, who belong to Jesus, who love Him because He first loved us, the called and chosen saints of God?
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