Thursday, January 29, 2015

The Gift of Righeousness

In 2 Corinthians 5:21, we read: “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

I looked at the silver tea pot that had been stored in the back of the china closet for at least twenty-five years. Yes, black. But with the right polish and buffing, I can restore it. Maybe to a more beautiful and deeper luster with a few dents to add character. With a deep sigh, I begin with care for silver is soft and can be damaged. Apply the polish, buff, apply more polish, buff. Finally I place the finished shining tea pot on a shelf where anyone coming in can see it.

I am much like that tea pot. The Lord Jesus, the Sinless One, rescued me from sin that I had committed for I had become a slave to sin--He took my place.  Now, I’m clean. But I still have the tendency to sin. I need more than just cleaning up. I need a new nature.

I received that new nature, His Nature, when I asked the Lord Jesus to come into my life. But many times through bad choices, I have become tarnished. So I turn to the Lord Jesus, the One that made me, the One that cleans me and polishes me. The One that has promised never to leave me nor forsake me. The Righteousness One.

Have you ever seen a silver tea pot clean itself? I didn’t think so. Instead of becoming clean on its own, more tarnish builds up.

Kingdom Thinking. Are you tarnished, hiding on the top shelf or maybe you have never known His great love for you. Come to Him just as you are. He will make you into a new person. Don’t be afraid. He will do this in His Wonderful, Gentle way. So come. He is waiting for you.