romans10seventeen

Caution! Think about your next step…I mean seriously think about it.

Are you walking in darkness? Do you know you have a Savior or are you just going through the motions wondering what it’s all for?

pexels-photo-167964.jpeg

I used to be that way. The darkness grew and grew inside of me and all around me until I couldn’t stand it any longer. I didn’t even realize it was happening. The enemy is so subtle. I just thought it was normal to be bitter, angry and numb.  I remember telling some people close to me just that, how I was numb, “emotionless”.  I stopped “feeling” anything really; aside from contempt for my own life and circumstances that is. I was such a complainer! Oh, you can’t even imagine. I complained so much I got sick of hearing myself. I stopped calling my family at one point because all I ever did was complain to them…and I started thinking, why would anyone even want to talk to me when all I do is complain? I’m very thankful that they loved me right through that.

But even their love didn’t permeate the stoney wall I was building around my heart.

But GOD…

When I had truly had enough, when I made a conscious choice to surrender my life back to Him everything changed!  I found joy and peace in the midst of my circumstances which, by the way, had not changed.

Nothing changed except for me; my true self was emerging.  He chipped away at that stoney wall that had invaded my heart. He gave me a brand new heart; one that could feel joy, peace and love.  One that sought after God and His kingdom and His righteousness.

Righteousness, the righteousness of God, is not something we can obtain on our own.  We keep trying though…and many find themselves in despair; discouraged and disillusioned. We work harder at our jobs so we can make more money hoping that will bring a sense of righteousness.  Or we do good deeds thinking if we just felt better about ourselves, then we would experience a sense of righteousness.  Maybe we spend a lot of time at our church or volunteering, trying to feel holy, or God forbid, look holy.  That’s certainly not going to help (don’t ask me how I know this…).  We think we are heading in the right direction, but in reality, we are lost.

When will we understand?  There is no righteousness apart from Him!

He IS our righteousness.  He is the only one who can give it to us…and we can’t have it unless we accept His free gift of salvation. Self-righteousness is a counterfeit from the enemy…the father of lies; the devil.  He wants you to keep striving.  He wants you to walk in darkness, trying to create your own righteousness.  It’s no good.

But I have GOOD NEWS for you!  You are only one step away…step out of the darkness and into the light!  The light of faith in God.  Then you will experience His love, His forgiveness and His righteousness…you will find joy and peace in His presence.

⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Philippians 3:9 (NKJV)