Day 565: The Source of RighteousnessRomans 3:22a
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
Thoughts for Today:Try this as an experiment: Ask ten strangers if they believe in God, then ask if they also believe in Jesus Christ -- not necessarily as the Savior of the world but: "Did he exist?" You will be surprised to find many (in fact most) believe in their own version of God, and also believe that Jesus was an actual historical figure (much like Gandhi, Moses, Buddha, or Genghis Khan).
James challenges us with this thought in James 2:19: "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder." Believing in God alone is not enough.
In Acts19:13-16, Luke tells of how the sons of Sceva got into trouble: "Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, 'In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.' Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. (One day) the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?' Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding." Without faith the name of Jesus is only a word.
Our righteousness (or justification) comes by our faith in the Lord -- being connected to God not generally but personally through Jesus Christ. It's not enough for a person to say: "I go to church and believe in God." No, we must also have faith and belief in Jesus Christ. Why? Because within His identity and work is the source of righteousness.
Questions to Ponder:Is Jesus just a name or do you know Him personally? Does He know you? Ask for His forgiveness and righteousness -- call on Him today.
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
Thoughts for Today:Try this as an experiment: Ask ten strangers if they believe in God, then ask if they also believe in Jesus Christ -- not necessarily as the Savior of the world but: "Did he exist?" You will be surprised to find many (in fact most) believe in their own version of God, and also believe that Jesus was an actual historical figure (much like Gandhi, Moses, Buddha, or Genghis Khan).
James challenges us with this thought in James 2:19: "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder." Believing in God alone is not enough.
In Acts19:13-16, Luke tells of how the sons of Sceva got into trouble: "Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, 'In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.' Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. (One day) the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?' Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding." Without faith the name of Jesus is only a word.
Our righteousness (or justification) comes by our faith in the Lord -- being connected to God not generally but personally through Jesus Christ. It's not enough for a person to say: "I go to church and believe in God." No, we must also have faith and belief in Jesus Christ. Why? Because within His identity and work is the source of righteousness.
Questions to Ponder:Is Jesus just a name or do you know Him personally? Does He know you? Ask for His forgiveness and righteousness -- call on Him today.
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