March 6, 2024 – Jesus is Our Righteousness

“Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

“It’s what we all are. We’re all failures. Own it; it will be good for you. There is not a day in any of our lives when we don’t lay down empirical evidence that we are failures. Maybe it’s in an unkind word, an ugly thought, or an ungodly desire. Maybe it’s in a moment of selfish envy or unbridled greed. Maybe it’s in a moment of pride…in the brokenness and grief of conviction, you can run not away from God but to him. You can run into the light of his holy presence utterly unafraid, filled with the confidence that although he is righteous and you are not, he will not turn you away.” (“New Morning Mercies”, March; Paul David Tripp)

If you and I had to rely on our own strength and faithfulness to be right with G-d, all hope is lost. There is never enough that we can do or think or say that makes up for the gap that sin puts between us and G-d. That chasm is too broad and deep. Yes, we are all called to live a holy lives, but our way of living will never be the basis of our standing with G-d. Ephesians 3:12 reminds us that in Christ we can have boldness and confidence through our faith in him – not in the works we try or fail to do thinking we will gain that same Grace. So when you fail again today, where will you run?

My suggestion is to run to Jesus every day – confessing your sins and seeking G-d’s forgiveness. When we live in the assurance that Grace abounds, and when we confess our sins and acknowledge our brokenness, then with contrite hearts we also remember that Jesus is our righteousness.

Pastor Dave