Right Before God

"But how can a man be in the right before God? If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times." -Job 9:2b–3

Job has suffered, and his friends are offering reasons why God might be allowing this pain to visit the righteous man. Here is Job's reply: “How can a man be in the right before God?” How indeed. 

This is really the question of human existence, isn't it? How can I stand before God? We usually think of the question in terms of what we can do to earn being right before God, but Job helps us see the first page of the Gospel, that no man or woman, nobody can be right before God. We need an intervention. 

Let that sink in today. You are worse than you thought. You are incapable of standing in the presence of a perfectly holy God. You have no chance of contending with the Creator of the universe. You are far too messed up to go before him. This seems like bad news, but it actually leads to some amazing grace. 

Jesus is the man who is in the right before God, and he gives you his righteousness. Jesus is the perfect high priest who brings us before God, and his claim over us allows us to stand with confidence. Confidence in Jesus. 

I don't need many reminders of how sinful and broken I am. I bet you are the same way; you come face to face with your mess every day, just like me. Jesus has covered that mess in his work on the cross for you. You are in with him, and that standing will never change. 

What person can be in the right before God? Those who are in Christ Jesus.

This is an excerpt from Depths a daily devotional written by Jonathan Shradar.

Slaves of God

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” -Romans 6:22

In Christ, as you believe in him, you are no longer a slave to the sin that reigned in your life beforehand. You have been identified with Christ; literally dyed, or changed into the color of Christ; made his. 

This is the garment you wear: his righteousness and your eternal security in him. You are now a slave to righteousness, of God. This is actually the ultimate in freedom, to be obedient and given the gifts of grace by our Savior. It is what you were meant for, why you were born. In this freedom, you are headed somewhere. 

The fruit of sin was shame and hurt; but the fruit of belief in Jesus is grace, leading to sanctification — becoming like Christ. The desires for sin die away. Your purpose in life is clarified and empowered. Your faith grows, and trust in God's control and goodness becomes your nature. This ends, or rather goes on forever, in eternal life. 

The chains that once held you captive are removed; you are free and have become one of God's people. You are free to live, free of sin. In that gift, you are changing as you arrive at the destination of full life. 

Today, rejoice in your Master's providence and care for you. Rejoice in the gift of sanctification that is working in you miraculous transformation. Rejoice in your identity in Christ and where it is leading you.

This is an excerpt from Depths, a daily devotional by Jonathan Shradar.