Shine Brightly for Christ
How will I know?
(#222 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
“Abba?”
Yes child?
“How will I know when righteousness has rooted itself within me?”
Did you speak what was pleasant and edifying today? (Ephesians 4:29)
“Yes Father.”
Have you turned away from the thoughts that bribe you, and the trickery that would have once compelled you? (Exodus 23:8)
“Yes Father.”
Have you continued to reject profitable things which come from compromising your beliefs? (Proverbs 16:8)
“Yes Father.”
Have you closed your mouth to slander and your ears to gossip? (Proverbs 20:19)
“Yes Father.”
Did you covenant that your eyes would turn from looking upon that which is evil? (Habakkuk 1:13)
“Yes Father.”
Have you reminded yourself that I alone fill your soul? (John 6:35)
“Yes Father.”
If you have truly done these things, then there is evidence that righteousness has been rooted in you. You shall surely dwell in lofty security and have inaccessible cliffs as your stronghold. Your food shall be supplied and your drink assured. These are the things I have in store for My righteous ones (Matthew 6:33).
Remember your strong desire for My righteousness today and hold onto it with all your might; even unto death. If you just do this one thing, I shall do the rest.
To our loved readers: In your search for righteousness, we wanted to remind you that the most important thing is to know Yahweh (an intimate, scriptural knowing). The righteousness that draws Him near is a righteousness that is only achieved through the life of Yahshua the Messiah in you (Galatians 2:20). It was never, nor will it ever be your own righteousness (Romans 10:1-4; Philippians 3:9), but a righteousness imputed to you (Romans 3:21-22). It is a gift loved one.
Of course, as Shaul taught us, there is also a type of righteousness that you are responsible to achieve. “Therefore, my loved one, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation [mental well-being] with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) Your righteousness (the non-imputed type) is a righteousness of obedience. But, this righteousness does not create intimacy with Yahweh or draw Him any closer to you; it is a byproduct of the intimacy established with Yahweh through the life of His Son. In other words, you are not redeemed by good works, as if the “self” could accomplish anything good, but for good works, those prompted and empowered by the Spirit alone (Ephesians 2:8-10).
“So you mean to tell me that the very thing that brings Him near to me today, and thus fulfills my every desire, is a righteousness that He gifted to me through His son?” This is exactly what we want you to acknowledge. And as you contemplate this, never settle with your own vetting of an internal issue. Never lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Look for the truth within. Meditate on this day and night (Psalm 1:2). And then cry out for it so you may be sure it is His truth. After that, listen for His still small voice!