Getting Right with God

I was privileged this evening to read a blog post by a minister named Terry Rush. His blog is entitled, "Morning Rush", and can be found here. It stuff I already knew, but boy do I need reminding about it sometimes. Enjoy.

Watch for the word righteousness in the Bible. This refers to anindividual being right with God. While there are matters of importance which God lays out before those who seek Him, getting right with Himis surely key. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt. 6:33). Why are we called to seek His righteousness? Ours is a flop. No preacher, no faithful church attendee, no Bible reader can get themselves right with God on their own good deeds. Many try. Others believe they succeeded. But if it’s not God’s rightness, it isn’t valid. If we don't know to look for God's righteousness to be applied to ourselves, we will conclude the pursuit of God is vain for we will decide we aren't good enough. Be encouraged by II Cor. 5:21: "He made him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God." There it is! The way anyone gets right with God is not based on our religious efforts but on Jesus’ bad deeds? What? Yes, one is right with God on the basis of how bad Jesus became on the cross. He became each of our sinful acts. Jesus became kitty litter on the cross to absorb everydark sin we’ve committed. He traded places with us. No one gets right with God on their own goodness. He makes us right just as he made Jesus wrong. The trade has been completed. It might encourage you to take a good look at Jesus. He died for you…that you could live for Him. What a trade! What a God! What a Savior!