So here I am, a day late with this post, but a friend of mine sent me a link to the Daily Lenten Devotions from BibleGateway.com. Also, there's a 'read through the Gospels during Lent' schedule. Today's reading was Matthew chapters 4-6.
This morning I was reading in chapter 5 where Jesus says, 'For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished ...For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.'
He goes on to talk about not just our actions, but also our thoughts! Most of us can put up a pretty good show on the outside, but the inside as well?? what's going on in my head?
All of this is pretty discouraging, if you ask me. UNTIL I read that I 'may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith...' Philippians 3:9
Why do I keep harping on this point of 'Christ's righteousness' ? Because when I look at the Law, I see how very far from keeping it I am, and how hopeless I would be, were it not for the perfect righteousness of Christ who kept the whole Law, who took my sins with Him to the Cross and paid for them in full.
There is nothing left for me to do but love Him, trust Him, cling to Him, worship Him, and be grateful for his daily mercies and grace.
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