A TIME TO SEEK THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST AND GIVE UP YOUR WORLDLY DESIRES
3/31/2021
As we approach Easter and the Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus, there is no better time to search our hearts for exactly “Where” we are in our life and “Who” we are in the eyes of Christ. Are we true followers of Jesus ? Are we focused on God’s Holy Word and the Testimony of Jesus ? Or are we simply Easter Sunday churchgoers who feel that need to at least spend one or two days a year in Church. On the other hand, are we going to church all the time and making sure that Everyone knows just how religious we are, and yet, we live and behave as if God didn’t exist in private. Either way, it behooves us greatly to spend some time contemplating exactly “Who and Where” God wants us to be ! It truly comes down to a choice. God, or the world. God on the Throne, or us. It really comes down to what our true commitment to Jesus is AFTER we have been saved. Jesus came to atone for our sin and allow us to enter the Kingdom Of Heaven, but if you truly are saved, and have made Christ your Lord, it should be driving your heart to seek RIGHTEOUSNESS. I find it amazing and sobering that seeking to be righteous in God’s eyes makes me feel humbled, thankful, and so glad I have Jesus beside me, and the Holy Spirit guiding me. As a man, dealing with my flesh, there is no way I could even come close to being who I want to be. Our flesh is in direct conflict all the time with God’s Righteousness. Only through Christ can we overcome our sinful nature and desire. Jesus changes us. Reborn in every way, He can change our hearts to understand and seek His Kingdom.
BUT SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED TO YOU. Matthew 6:33
THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. FOR THE LORD GIVES WISDOM; FROM HIS MOUTH COMES KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING; HE STORES UP SOUND WISDOM FOR THE UPRIGHT; HE IS A SHIELD TO THOSE WHO WALK IN INTEGRITY, GUARDING THE PATHS OF JUSTICE AND WATCHING OVER THE WAY OF HIS SAINTS. THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE AND EQUITY, EVERY GOOD PATH. Proverbs 2:5-20
SO FLEE YOUTHFUL PASSIONS AND PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE, AND PEACE, ALONG WITH THOSE WHO CALL ON THE LORD FROM A PURE HEART. 2 Timothy 2:22
HE HIMSELF BORE OUR SIN IN HIS BODY ON THE TREE, THAT WE MIGHT DIE TO SIN AND LIVE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS. BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED. 1 Peter 2:24
The world we are living in is constantly in conflict with God, His Word, and His Truth. The world we live in has a hatred for God, and provides a completely different viewpoint on righteousness. The world views righteousness as self acclamation. Look at ME ! Look what I accomplished all on my own. I am my best source of strength. I celebrate ME and my EXCELLENCE ! Make no mistake that following the world may seem pleasureful and rewarding for a time, but IT WILL END….and that END will be Death, and Eternal Separation From God. IF YOU GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS AND WALK IN HIS WAYS I can promise you that things will look and be different. YOU PICK UP A CROSS. You will most likely be persecuted and ridiculed; some people will think you are chasing a false life and teaching; you may find rejection and ridicule as a daily occurrence. I see the rejection of God’s Truth and ways all over in our world. People, leaders, governments, businesses, churches, pastors,….all rejecting God and His Righteousness for comfort, prosperity, personal gain, political correctness , self importance, and a myriad of other reasons. BUT THEY ARE WRONG. I Reject all of it. It is Evil, and it will not bring you into the Kingdom of God. Scripture makes it very plain what we need to be doing, thinking and believing. Ask for knowledge and understanding. Move into Wisdom and Discernment. Become Mature in your Walk and Faith.
HE WHO WALKS RIGHTEOUSLY AND SPEAKS UPRIGHTLY, WHO DESPISES THE GAIN OF OPPRESSIONS, WHO SHAKES HIS HANDS, LEST THEY HOLD A BRIBE, WHO STOPS HIS EARS FROM HEARING OF BLOODSHED AND SHUTS HIS EYES FROM LOOKING ON EVIL, HE WILL DWELL ON THE HEIGHTS; HIS PLACE OF DEFENSE WILL BE THE FORTRESSES OF ROCKS; HIS BREAD WILL BE GIVEN HIM; HIS WATER WILL BE SURE. YOUR EYES WILL BEHOLD THE KING IN HIS BEAUTY; THEY WILL SEE A LAND THAT STRETCHES AFAR. Isaiah 33: 15-17
AND BE FOUND IN HIM, NOT HAVING A RIGHTEOUSNESS OF MY OWN THAT COMES FROM THE LAW, BUT THAT WHICH COMES THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST, THE RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM GOD THAT DEPENDS ON FAITH. Philippians 3:9
FOR OUR SAKE HE MADE HIM TO BE SIN WHO KNEW NO SIN, SO THAT IN HIM WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Our Faith and Love for God is what makes us Different and Strong as we look at the world. As Christians and Followers of Jesus, it is TIME TO PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS ! I can’t think of a better time to start the process if you haven’t begun already. I believe it is time to get into God’s Word and be committed. I believe it is time to be deeper in prayer than you have ever been, especially prayer for others. I believe the time for placing other things in our life over a focus and relationship with God should be in the past. I LOOK TO THE PROMISE OF JESUS RETURNING ! I want to not only have my Armor of God on, I want to be keenly aware of it’s use and Power ! I want my Breastplate to be RiGHTEOUS IN GOD”S EYES. I yearn to be in God’s Kingdom in all It’s completeness and beauty all the rest of my life. It is not free….Jesus paid a price. IT”S TIME TO SEEK THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS and say goodbye to the fleeting things the world offers. I pray that This Day, YOU MAKE THE CHOICE ! BE BLESSED/JAA