Submitted to the Righteousness of God
One thing that consistently robs us of our joy and peace with God is our endless striving to please him in our flesh. Paul addressed this striving in Romans, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3, NKJV).
When we strive outside of Christ, we are trying to establish our own righteousness. It is our flesh at work, leading us astray. We try to please the Lord in our human power, but it will never be enough. Any victories will be short-lived, and the next time we are tempted, we will fall even further.
When Satan comes to you and whispers, “What about that sin you indulged in just yesterday? You are guilty!” You can answer, “No, I’ve already asked forgiveness for that. I’ve asked God to keep me from doing it again. It’s all under the blood.”
You may still experience temptation, but Jesus has made a way of escape. His word says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
If the accuser reminds you that there are still unsettled matters in your life and war still rages within you, let scripture encourage your heart: “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in his sight” (Colossians 1:21-22).
Beloved, through Christ, you can find peace and reconciliation with God. The Bible says that even when you were alienated by your awful, evil works, even when you were in the pits of lust, even when you were one of God’s worst enemies, God loved you. He sought you out and reconciled you to himself. He has brought you from the kingdom of darkness into his kingdom of light, and you are made to be at peace with him. He loves you!