Trusting Not Trying

Trusting Not Trying

 “…in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith…”  Philippians 3:8–9

There are a handful of truths that we must get right or everything else we believe will be in error. One of these foundational truths is this: Righteousness is never something you can earn or own. Righteousness is always a gift of grace from God. Christ the Righteous One makes us righteous, as we live in abiding union with Him.

The fancy word for this is “imputed righteousness.” Every act of Christ’s obedience is attributed to us just as if we are obeying God perfectly. Christ takes every act of faith, hope, and love, all our worship and prayer, brings them into Himself, makes them perfect in His righteousness, and then presents them as acceptable to the Father on our behalf. This is what it means to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ. This is the gospel of outlandish grace!

But there’s more good news! Every one of God’s promises and commands come with the power to claim and obey God’s promises and commands. Being declared already righteous in Christ, does not free you to sin all you want. God’s declaration of righteousness comes with the power to live righteously! Salvation is not grace replacing God’s commandments and Law. Salvation is grace giving us the power to fulfill God’s righteous commands. Because the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we are empowered to act out the righteousness of Christ.

To capture this reality of righteousness being a gift of grace, as we put on Christ and live in Christ, the Bible often speaks of righteousness as an article of clothing. If you are trusting in Christ alone for your righteousness, even in all your sin, shame, and struggle, you stand before a holy God as 100% righteous! When God sees you, all God sees is you covered in Christ’s royal robe of righteousness!

 Will you exchange your striving to be good for resting in Christ’s gift of righteousness? Will you repent of your hard work of trying to please God and instead simply trust in God? Trust, not trying, activates the grace that empowers righteous living. Will you let the Holy Spirit fall upon you, take off your fifthly garment of self-righteousness, and place upon you Christ’s royal robe of righteousness?

 Dr. Christopher English

January 2021

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