Heir of Righteousness

Scripture: Hebrews 11:7 (KJV)
"Became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."

Personal Reflection

The greatest blessing Noah received was not physical deliverance from the flood. It was the gift of righteousness. He became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

This is the glorious truth of the gospel. We do not stand before God clothed in our own goodness or religious efforts. Like Noah, we stand before Him clothed in a righteousness that has been given to us by grace through faith.

Every believer knows his own failures and sins. We know our imperfections, weaknesses, and shortcomings. If our acceptance before God depended upon our performance, none of us could have peace.

But our standing before God rests entirely upon the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. He lived the life we could never live and died the death we deserved to die. Through faith, His righteousness is credited to our account.

This truth should fill the believer with joy and assurance. Satan accuses us. Our consciences sometimes trouble us. Yet we can answer every accusation by pointing to Christ and His finished work.

Because we have been declared righteous in Christ, we are free to serve God with gratitude rather than fear. We do not obey in order to become accepted; we obey because we already are accepted.

What a wonderful inheritance! Noah inherited righteousness by faith, and every believer receives that same gift through the Lord Jesus Christ. The more we understand this truth, the more joyfully and confidently we will serve our King.

Contemplation

Am I resting in Christ's righteousness or trying to establish my own?

Puritan Quote

John Bunyan wrote:

"My righteousness is in heaven."

Prayer

Father, thank You that Christ is my righteousness. Help me rest fully in His finished work and serve You with the joy that comes from knowing I am accepted in Him. Amen.

Application

Read Romans 8:1 and thank God that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.