Dear Jesus, I love it when I’ve given a text to preach by a church, as opposed to simply having the freedom preach something I’ve prepared in the past. Here in Edinburg, Scotland, my assigned text for the day at Cornerstone Pres just happens to be one of my favorites, so, Hurray!
“I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord… being found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Phil. 3:8-11)
Jesus, all I can say in response to Paul’s words is I want to be this free, this humble, this grateful—this set on knowing you better and better, loving you with all I have and am, and following you all the way through the resurrection into the new heaven and new earth. Grant it Jesus, for me and my praying friends.
Make the gift of your righteousness to us more precious, liberating, and worship-fueling than ever. We are overwhelmed with joy (and still struggle to believe it) when we read, and marinate in this summary of how you have given us your righteousness through the Gospel.
Heidelberg Catechism Question 60
Q. How are you righteous before God?
A. Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against all God’s commandments, of never having kept any of them, and of still being inclined toward all evil, nevertheless, without any merit of my own, out of sheer grace, God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, and as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me. All I need to do is accept this gift with a believing heart.
Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus … Hallelujah, and Thank you Jesus. So Very Amen