“We are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners, yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” Galatians 2:15,16 NET
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
Galatians 3:27
Holy God,
Not by law, not by works but by Jesus Christ. Justified – made righteous. Righteous in the English dictionary means: to be virtuous, honourable, or morally right. In Hebrew, Lord I read there are a few different words for righteous or righteousness .
Sad-diq – just, innocent, in the right, devout, upright.
S-da-qa – honesty, justice, justness.
Se-deq – accuracy, what is correct, right thing, what is honest, equity, what is right.
Help me grasp that righteousness is not something You do God, it is who You are, Your character. You are just and honest in all You do. You are upright in all Your ways. You do what is right.
Me? I am far from it. Though we all like to think we are right at times! But we cannot be right all the time. So we cannot come to You, Holy God because we are not righteous. But for Jesus. Three beautiful words. But for Jesus. And one amazing yet terrible sacrifice and a life changing gift. The robe of righteousness. Keep us humble enough to put on what we cannot earn, cannot procure or ever be good enough for. On putting on Christ You see us wearing His robe of righteousness as if we too had never sinned.
Never mind fashion, impressing others . . . Today, I worship You for clothing me in Your Son at such a great cost. For accepting me in Christ as righteous. For helping me to learn to be like You. Help me to walk, live and rejoice in Jesus and His gift of righteousness.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Holy God,
For family, friends, neighbours, hold them safe, and shower them with Your love.
We pray for our neighbours and their needs today, even those we do not know. Bless them.
Bless our church family and all the lent groups that are meeting across this nation.
For all the Royal family. For healing and well being and some privacy.
For our government. Amidst all the talk and speeches we pray Your gentle wisdom will be heard in their hearts focussing them on the truth, the good and doing their best.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle of peace soon. Have mercy. Bless and prosper those delivering aid and medical care.
For Gaza an end to all the killing, hostage taking and hate. Give success to the search for peace and help those trying to deliver aid to where it is needed.
Thank You for those who first shared the gospel in the UK and empower those who share it today.
For support agencies and volunteer groups across the UK inspire new volunteers to join and help.
For us today to arise and put on the robe of righteousness. To know how much You love and value us today.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 7th March 2024
Sometimes well known words and tunes just say it all. Timeless truth.
My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, his covenant, his blood,
support me in the whelming flood;
when all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found:
dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne.
Lyrics: Fred Kaan