Thursday, November 3, 2022
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
We have everything we need
In righteousness based on the law, I was blameless.
Paul uses the past tense, because he no longer measures his life by his “righteousness based on the law.” That righteousness is worse than useless, because it misleads the law-follower. We veer farr off the path toward Christ and his merciful, all-powerful sacrifice for all our sin, and head into an ego-bound wilderness of confusion, guilt, fear and death.
Whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a LOSS because of Christ. Even more than that, I consider everything a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Paul is a pilgrim in progress, and when he found the road to heaven, he will not be pulled aside. He is ready for his royal welcome, and he’s inviting all of us to get ready with him.
There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
But there is no one who does not need repentance. Those ninety-nine “righteous” people do not exist, and Jesus knew it. I think he did. Ron DiCianni, who painted the above picture titled “Heaven’s Balcony,” scratched the words from Luke 15 around the edge of the painting: “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner …” That painting, my Father’s Day gift a long time ago, beams out on those of us who sit in my counseling office, as we are think, talk, pray and wait for the healing that comes only from God. “None of us is righteous, not even one.”
Look to the Lord in his strength, and seek to serve him constantly. Recall the wonderful deeds he has done.
The Pharisees knew their bible stories better than anyone. But Jesus called them out anyway, because they did not know their Father. Yahweh filled those stories to the brim. But they refused to know his Son.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! He, the Lord, is our God.
Jasper and I spent an hour or so in the unheated whirlpool at our apartment complex yesterday. The wind was quiet and the sun was shining bright. We laid on the chaise lounges, and the blue sky filled our view. We squirted 70 degree water at each other with Jasper’ toy dog and unicorn-ed pig. The air was just a little less than 70 degrees.
After we walked back home, our lunch was not righteous. No vegetable or fruit, no meat or cheese, only strawberry ice cream, peanut butter, and part of a giant chocolate chip cookie. But Jasper got into bed with Margaret and a few minutes later he was asleep.
God’s forgiveness and permission and mercy and grace that lives all around our bodies and our minds held court today. We were thoroughly and completely loved, in the arms of Jesus, who watches us every second, in spite of our unrighteous food choices. Surely our prayers must mostly be of gratitude and praise. We already have everything we need.
We worship through the Spirit of God, and we boast in Christ Jesus. We do not put our confidence in flesh.
(Philippians 3, Psalm 105, Matthew 11, Luke 15)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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