Jeremiah 23:6 In his days Judah will be saved
    and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
    The Lord Our Righteous Savior.

I have to start by saying that the latest NIV translation is unfortunate here. I’m sure they expressed it this way out of a desire to “make it easier to understand,” but that is glossing over one of the main points: we have no righteousness apart from Christ! We have such trouble getting this through our minds and hearts! We have such a desire to take credit for our own salvation, to take pride in our own righteousness, ignoring the reality that we can never save ourselves, we can never be righteous enough in ourselves. Our salvation is by faith in the only truly righteous One. (Ephesians 2:8-9) It is only in Christ that we become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21) This whole concept of salvation through the righteousness of another is so revolutionary that the Jodo denomination of Japanese Buddhism borrowed it whole, calling it “The Principle of the Strength of Another.” That makes me wonder if we won’t see a few Buddhists in heaven! However, that is skating on thin ice indeed. As Jesus said, no one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6) The glory of the Gospel is that all who do enter by repentance and faith in Christ are saved, for all eternity. What we do after that commitment does make a difference, as Paul explained to the Corinthians. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15) Some people will barely make it in, but if their trust is in Jesus, they will make it. A far wiser course is to operate in the righteousness God has provided in Christ, experiencing fellowship with Him even here and now, anticipating the glory of full union with Him in heaven.

I see people who claim to be Christians, yet their priorities are all firmly in this world. What a waste! Christ is indeed our righteousness, and I want to appropriate as much of that as possible even in this life. My righteousness certainly isn’t perfect. I identify with Romans 7 all too well! However, God is growing me and purifying me in all sorts of ways, and I am deeply grateful. This physical mess that started last Saturday isn’t fun, but I know that God has His purposes in allowing it, so I thank Him. I need to cooperate with the healing and health He has for me, and not be complaining about how rotten I feel! He has things for me to do today, and I need to let His strength carry me through. He can use me however I’m feeling, because as He told Paul, His strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) I will need to be free of symptoms if I am to participate in our concerts at the nursing home this coming Sunday, but that’s His business. I need to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him!

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for this infection that drives it home. Help me be ever more effective in sharing the good news of Your grace, Your righteousness, with all, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!