A Recipe for a Savior Day # 10

ADDED RIGHTEOUSNESS

Day # 10

Genesis 15:6 And he (Abraham) believed the Lord, he (the Lord) counted it to him as righteousness.

            The recipe continues to come together. I hope that you have enjoyed seeing some of the recipes that have been included in this devotion. Each one is given with the expectation that is it will be accepted by others. Many people took the time to select just the right recipe, one that has been a part of the family for several generations or perhaps just a short time. Perhaps you have taken the time to try one of the recipes.

            In A Recipe for a Savior, we see the next important ingredient – righteousness. You may know this but it is important that all the ingredients come together. Sometimes ingredients don’t mix well. One flavor doesn’t mix with another. I find that when I make suggestions on recipes and I receive the look that says, “Those don’t go together.” In A Recipe for a Savior we see that the ingredient of righteousness does not mix with ingredient of works. If you want to add works into the recipe, you cannot add righteousness. Our works do not lead to righteousness. They lead only to loss. A Recipe for a Savior is ruined when you try to add works to it.

            But isn’t that what Abraham did? Did not he really gain righteousness by his works? St. Paul tells us, “No.” In Romans 4:3, Paul writes, “For what does Scripture say, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.” Abraham was given righteousness not through his works but through the grace of God. He believed God’s promise, trusted not in himself but in God’s Word. Righteousness was given to Abraham by God, not by his works.

            In our lives, as we live by faith, we, too, are given righteousness. It doesn’t come from our works, for they would destroy the gift of righteousness with our sinfulness. We trust in God, believe in Jesus Christ, are fed by the Holy Spirit and we receive this most precious ingredient – righteousness. We live in it. We revel in it. We taste and see that the Lord is good.

            Yes, the special ingredient today is Christ’s righteousness.

Prayer: What an amazing gift You have given to us, dear Lord! Your righteousness covers our sin and gives us that wonder of forgiveness and life. We thank You and pray that You would empower us through faith not to destroy this precious gift by trying to add our works. Guide us this week as we continue to prepare for the wonder of Your coming. Amen.

Deeper Thought: What “work” do you count on to make yourself right with God? Pray that you are given the guidance by the Spirit to give up that self-righteous work in order to trust only in Christ’s righteousness.