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You can be safe, in a world that is becoming increasingly hostile and unsafe. For, The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe, high above all evil and is strong. [Proverbs 18:10] And, grace takes you from where you are to where God wants you to be in you spiritual walk; to be made righteous in Christ, when you put your trust in the sinless Lamb of God, who gave Himself up on the Cross, as a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. For, all have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God; there is none righteous, no, not one, declares the word of God. Our righteous acts are like filthy rags, it also goes on to say. For, sin that entered through Adam’s fall, to corrupt the entire human race from then on, is not merely an act, but something that lies deep within a person, in his very being. Man is born into this world with a sinful nature, and needs to be born again, in his spirit, made a new creation in Christ, who became sin, so that you and I can become the righteousness of God in Christ.
The gospel of Christ :
The spirit of man is the lamp of God, it is written in the book of proverbs. And flowing from this truth is the prayer of the psalmist, that God would light his lamp that has been snuffed out by sin, once again. Sin separated you from God, in your spirit, causing death, or an eternal separation from God. But, salvation reconciles you with God in Christ, to live once again, in the bliss of eternal life. Your lamp is lit once again, all by the grace of God. It is the message of the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, one that the apostle Paul describes in his epistle to the Romans, as he takes you through the path of being made righteous in Christ, the change that needs to happen in your inner being that has been darkened by sin, cut off from the light of the kingdom of God, that is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Righteousness by faith in Lord Jesus :
The psalmist in what may seem not quite complimentary , describes the sad truth of those who worship idols, becoming like them in their inner being, as having eyes and ears, they are still unable to see or hear the truth of God, and be saved. But, it is a principle that serves to describe something that is true in a very positive sense too; for it is how the righteousness of God comes to you, as Paul says, in the verse that follows, he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. [Romans 3:26] God is always, and forever righteous. And when you put your trust in Him, you are made righteous in and through Christ. It is much like you being holy, because He is holy. For, there is nothing that you can do in your own strength and effort, to make yourself either holy or righteous. What you consider to be good enough to make yourself righteous, is never good enough, when it comes to God’s perfect holiness and righteousness. God and God alone is always and forever right. And He is always loving and always faithful. In your life therefore, all that is wrong, or messed up, He can set right, and make it all beautiful, when you put your trust in Him, in obedience and love.
The need for trusting in God :
There are valid and very practical reasons why trusting in God is a prerequisite to being made right in your inner being, and the manifestation of it in your life’s circumstances. And you and I may have enjoyed a privileged upbringing, in being born in a Christian family, enjoying all the perks that come with it, in the familiarity of the scriptures and the atmosphere of worshiping in church. Nevertheless, there is a deeper and more intimately personal level of relationship with God Almighty, through His Son, Jesus Christ that needs to happen in you. For putting it all very simply, a trained parrot can utter words like a human being, but it does not become one, because of it! And being born a sinner in this world, just as everyone else is, there were traits in our inner being that needed to be removed, before we could become righteous. And it involved putting our trust in God. For, left to ourselves, we were –
1. Helpless :
For while we were utterly helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. [Romans 5:6] Separated from God by sin, found you and I as sinners, weak, powerless, and without strength to do what is right and good, in the sight of God. Self help can never cleanse you from sin, and keep you from sinning. The problem of sin is not what you can try to manage on your own, or come out of, on your own. It is God who can manifest His power in you, to bring about a change. Depending on the help of other people who are also, as the saying goes, in the same boat, in the same sinful condition, will be fruitless too. For, what can one sinner do to lift up another, but to draw him down too?!
At the right time :
But God did not leave the sinner to his eternal destiny. For, at the right time Christ intervened in your life and mine, while we were yet sinners. And it was by putting our trust in Him, and His victory over sin on the Cross, that you and I have been set free from the power of sin, and now are led by Him in a triumphal procession. It encompasses in the life of every erstwhile sinner, not just the story of his salvation, but also the outworking of it in his life, establishing the need once more for trusting God, who alone can make a sinner righteous.
2. Useless :
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [Romans 5:8] He is a holy God; and the one who has not been made holy, or set apart, cannot be used for God’s glory, in His kingdom. But, while the world may throw you away, when you are not of use to them, it is not so with God. Rather, it was where the love of God intervened in your life and mine, His love unfathomable and immeasurable. Coated and corrupted by the black darkness of sin, you were once not worthy to be used in God’s kingdom of light. But He, as you turned to Him in trust and faith, washed your sins away in the precious Blood of the sinless Lamb, to make you holy, set apart for His kingdom purposes, and useful; to be used by Him for His glory.
It is God Himself who has done a work of grace in you, to take you from being a condemned sinner, of not any use or value, to being useful, and to bear much fruit. Thus, He has an agenda of productivity and usefulness for you, even now in your life, no matter the season of life that you are passing through. You are of use in His hands, throughout your life, until the very end of your earthly journey. There is no retirement policy in God’s kingdom! And never belittle yourself concerning the work of your hands; in what is your calling from God, at home or in the marketplace. You are never ‘just a housewife’. Rather, in God’s eyes you are a builder; a wise woman who builds her house!
3. Rebellious :
For, if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God, through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. [Romans 5:10] Once an enemy of God, in sinful rebellion, as a sinner, you now stand reconciled. For, your sins were forgiven, two thousand years ago, on Calvary’s Cross, where the Savior shed His Blood for the remission of your sins, and the sins of the whole world. But, what needs to happen in you? It was sin that separated you from God. And your sins were forgiven, all those years ago. It is the wondrous story of the Cross. But, repentance in you, is what leads to being reconciled to God.
Repentance; Reconciliation; Restoration :
It is then that restoration of your relationship with God can take place, earning with it, the privilege and the right to call Him, ‘Abba Father’. As a sinner, steeped in sinful rebellion, you could not approach Him with such intimate boldness; one that you now enjoy in a redeemed and restored relationship in and through Christ. And it is then that you know that all that belongs to the Father is yours. You will begin to know that you have kingdom rights and privileges, as a heir and co heir together with Christ.
And the closer your walk is with Him, the softer will be your ‘Abba Father’, as you find your rest in the knowledge that your Father knows all that you are in need of. Above all, you are His precious child; and He the Almighty God belongs to you, as your loving Father! And even as you come to the Lord’s Table, what you remember and partake of, is the truth that as you seek His kingdom, all other things will be added unto you. And as the Lord Himself has described you and I, ‘When wicked people that you are, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven?’ The fruit of a restored relationship with God, as your heavenly Father, manifests in you in wondrous ways, in attributes that can come to you in no other way.
1. Peace with God :
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [Romans 5:1] Declared righteous, or justified by your faith or trust in God, peace and joy becomes your everlasting portion, through Jesus Christ your Lord. It is a peace that the world will never be able to give you, as the Lord Himself has said, and a joy that nothing or no one can take away, for it is of the Holy Spirit.
2. Love of God :
It is a love that has been lavished upon you, as the apostle John has described, See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called children of God, and such we are. [1 John 3:1] It is an incredible love, that none can ever fathom. For, there is a vast difference between ‘like’ and ‘love’. In the world, more often than not, a person likes you, as long as you like what they like. It is conditional. But God’s love for you, is immeasurably higher, everlasting and unchanging. It is a love that can transform you! For, He remains faithful, even when you and I were faithless. We were still lost in sin’s darkness, helpless, useless and rebellious. But God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life. And, it is in the light of the Holy Spirit’s understanding and power, that you can know and revel in His incredible love; one that sees a life transforming restoration of your relationship with God as your Heavenly Father.
The fruit of righteousness in your life :
Having been made righteous, and all by the incredible love that the Father has bestowed upon you, you are now in a right relationship with God, and you now enjoy the right and privilege of becoming a child of God. But as many who received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His Name. Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. [John 1:12,13]
Believing in His Name :
You were made righteous, not by your own righteous deeds, but because you believed, and put your trust in the God who can make you righteous. And, now that you are righteous, His Name is like a strong tower, into which you can run and find your safety.
The Name of JESUS :
In the New Testament, the Name of God is given with crystal clear clarity. His Name is Jesus. And His very name, Jesus, means the One who removes your sins and transgressions. And He is, Immanuel- ‘God with us’ – It is also His Name. Therefore, He is always with you; and constantly cleanses you of your sins, to keep you holy and righteous in the sight of God, the Father. He is also ,
The Blessed One – who blesses you :
To you first, God having raised up His servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning everyone of you away from your iniquities. [Acts 3:26] In the Name of Jesus, you are blessed, for He has removed your sins forever, by His death on the Cross, and resurrection on the third day, to live forevermore. Forgiveness of your sins, is the greatest blessing that you can enjoy, for one can gain the entire world, and yet lose his soul. But, your soul is safe forever.
His Name – the strong tower :
And it is the truth that causes His Name to be like a strong tower in your mind, in knowing that your sins have been forgiven, and also that the One who has done it, is now living inside you, to continually cleanse you of all unrighteousness. He will never leave you or forsake you. And therefore, when He is with you and for you, who can be against you? In all the things that come against you therefore, you will overwhelmingly conquer through Him who has loved you, and given Himself for you. And relating it all, and applying it to a familiar portion of scripture, will reveal to you the depths of what God has in store for the one who knows His Name. I will set him on high, because he has known My Name. [Psalm 91:14]
Knowing His Name:
It is all about having the knowledge and experience of Lord Jesus in your life, and in knowing God as your Heavenly Father, in a personal relationship with Him, as His child.
A covenant relationship :
A marriage relationship that you enter into, is deeply personal and intimate. Above all it is a covenant that you make in the sight of God, with your spouse; and, all by declaring a simple ‘I will’, in the presence of God, and God’s people. It is beyond merely your feelings; it is the blessing of God upon you as a couple, that stands the test of time, as you build your family, according to God’s mandate. And in a much more higher and glorious level, in the words of the psalmist, God, in a covenant relationship with you, one that was inaugurated and established by the Blood of His Son Jesus Christ, promises good to you. [Psalm 91:14-16] He says to you, in a Blood covenant relationship, ‘I will deliver you. I will set you on high, I will answer you, when you call upon Me. I will be with you in trouble, I will honor you. I will satisfy you with long life, I will show you My salvation’. It is the greatness of His covenant with you, that you remember and celebrate, as you partake of the glorious riches of the Lord’s Table. The Name of the Lord is Jesus; and there is no other Name by which one can be saved. God’s ‘I will’ is His will for you, in your life. And may your response, as you bow before Him in reverence and awe, be one that says, ‘I will love You; I will honor You; I will obey You’. And even as He reveals more and more of the wondrous nature of His Name, may God’s loving goodness, overwhelm and overflow abundantly in your life, in the days and years to come, for the glory of His Name.
In the Name of Christ Jesus Amen.
