For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Romans 5:10
I wonder if the Lord gets tired of my constant whining. Most days I am so consumed with being righteous that when I miss the mark, I tend to sit and pout. It is as if I am saying, "I just can't do it! I will never get this right. The temptations are too big. Maybe I should just quit!"
Well, yes. I can't do it. I will never get it right, and the temptations are too big. But quitting is not an option, because in Christ I can do it. I can get it right, and the temptations aren't too big. Rather than pouting, I should change my thinking. When I fail, which is more often that I would like to admit, my words should be, "How did I forget? Jesus died for me; I am saved. Jesus lives with me; I am still righteous."
Simply because we fail, the truth isn't changed. We are made righteous by Christ's blood, and this righteousness is not negated by our actions. I am not saying sin should be taken lightly. But we must understand this: there is nothing we can do that will make Him leave us. Once He saves us, we are saved indeed. With this understanding, we can walk in His life. His death has already done its work. We no longer need to be made clean because we already are!
Lord, forgive my forgetfulness. I am righteous - not by my actions, but by the blood of Your Son. Help me to walk as a righteous man does. How much more am I saved by Your life!
Live in me today.