See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
I John 3:1
I John 3:1
I just wanted to journal a lesson that the Lord taught me last week, and hopefully it will be a blessing to you too.
As you are probably aware, the Royal Baby, Prince George, was christened. As I happened to see a photo of his dad, Prince William, presenting him to the public, I couldn't help but notice the beautiful christening gown that the baby was wearing. Then I realized something:
I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
When we are born into this world, we are born with our inherent sin nature. Nothing we can do on our own to change that fact. But God, who is RICH in mercy and FULL of compassion, saw our need, became our Savior and paid the debt for our sin IN FULL. (The payment for sin is: DEATH, but the GIFT OF GOD is eternal life...through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23) Our sin was punished on the cross at Calvary. Jesus died to set us free from the guilt and bondage of sin AND to clothe us in His righteousness.
The Bible says that all of our works (good works done in our own energy) are as "filthy rags." (Isaiah 64:6) BUT when we accept the Lord's gift of salvation and repent (turn away from) our sinful ways, then we are clothed in His righteousness.
For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Psalm 149:4
Just like Prince William delighted in presenting his royal son, all decked out in a beautiful christening gown, Our Heavenly Father delights in US too! We have been declared royalty!
THE LESSON:
As I looked at the intricate, beautiful christening gown with all that it represented, and then looked at the adorable royal infant, I thought, "That little one has no clue that he is royalty! He is completely oblivious to the fact that the world is watching him, longing to gaze at his little face in all of his 'glory.' To him, this is just another day in the life of 'baby-hood'." As he grows, and is trained, he will soon learn of his royal responsibilities.
Isn't that the way it is with us, once we trade our filthy rags
for God's royal righteous robes?
There's so much more that could be written or said here . . .
but I just wanted to give us food for thought.
but I just wanted to give us food for thought.
- Have you accepted the Lord as your Savior? All of our "good works" are as filthy rags, if we have not been "washed in the blood of the Lamb." If there was anything that we COULD do to make amends for our sin, then Jesus died on the cross for absolutely no reason!
- If you and I have believed in Jesus' payment for our sin and His overcoming death on our behalf, then do we realize that we are royalty: God's children?? Or are we still clueless to the undeserving LOVE, FAVOR and GRACE that our Heavenly Father so richly bestows upon us?
- Do you realize that your Heavenly Father looks down at you and doesn't see all the bad "stuff" you do? He sees you completely wrapped, in fact ADORNED, in HIS righteousness!! He longs for you and I to REALIZE just how much He loves us, and just how special we are. He longs to train us, to use us, for His royal reasons.
- What are we doing to grow? Are we spending time with our Heavenly Father in His Word; are we praying?
- Each day that we go into our world, are we aware of our royal status? And with that, are we doing our royal duties by representing the Kingdom of GOD very well?
Just some food for thought...actually it's a lesson for me to remember, but I figured I'd not remember it all if I didn't write it down somewhere & what better place than here, my long, lost blog!? :) Hope that you all are doing well!! Sure have missed being in touch!
Until next time, remember, we don't have to be clothed in filthy rags!! If we are saved, then we are God's children----royalty....And the Creator and King of the universe LOVES US more than we could ever know! REALIZE WHO WE ARE and find security in who we are, not in ourselves, but in Christ. :)
Hugs,
