Morning, January 31

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"The Lord our Righteousness."

  Jeremiah 23:6

   It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and
   peace, to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are
   the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I
   do not think they would if they could always see their perfection in
   Christ. There are some who are always talking about corruption, and the
   depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite
   true, but why not go a little further, and remember that we are
   "perfect in Christ Jesus." It is no wonder that those who are dwelling
   upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks; but surely
   if we call to mind that "Christ is made unto us righteousness," we
   shall be of good cheer. What though distresses afflict me, though Satan
   assault me, though there may be many things to be experienced before I
   get to heaven, those are done for me in the covenant of divine grace;
   there is nothing wanting in my Lord, Christ hath done it all. On the
   cross he said, "It is finished!" and if it be finished, then am I
   complete in him, and can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of
   glory, "Not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but
   that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is
   of God by faith." You will not find on this side heaven a holier people
   than those who receive into their hearts the doctrine of Christ's
   righteousness. When the believer says, "I live on Christ alone; I rest
   on him solely for salvation; and I believe that, however unworthy, I am
   still saved in Jesus;" then there rises up as a motive of gratitude
   this thought--"Shall I not live to Christ? Shall I not love him and
   serve him, seeing that I am saved by his merits?" "The love of Christ
   constraineth us," "that they which live should not henceforth live unto
   themselves but unto him which died for them." If saved by imputed
   righteousness, we shall greatly value imparted righteousness.