Psalm 97:1-98:9 Our own righteousness is as filthy rags, but the Lord’s righteousness is filled with blessing upon blessing. We can only tap into the Lord’s righteousness when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. From that moment on we are considered righteous, not because of our own righteous deeds, but because of the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for us. Because of His blood that provided our forgiveness, cleansing, justification, sanctification, glorification and righteousness (right standing with God), we are now dressed in His robe of righteousness. We begin a life journey of blessing if we continue to abide in His Word and His love and obey His commandments. Of course, we will experience trials and temptations (and probably many of them) before we go to heaven, but Jesus the Righteous One will fight our battles, and the ultimate victory will be ours.

Here are some of the things we inherit because we have been made righteous through Jesus Christ:

1. Preservation of our souls
2. Deliverance from the hand of the wicked
3. Light that is always shone on our path
4. Gladness always in our hearts
5. Rejoicing in the Lord a part of our daily lives
6. Only our deeds and words judged for reward, but we ourselves saved eternally

This should make our hearts (which may sink from time to time) sing for joy. God has a wonderful word for us when we feel condemnation. This is always the tactic of the enemy. First he tempts you to sin, and then he makes you feel guilty because you had such a thought. Another great inheritance of the righteous is freedom from condemnation. John tells us, “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment” (1 John 3:20-23, KJV).

Isaiah 54:17 gives us the most powerful weapon against condemnation, and it is the fact that our righteousness is of the Lord and this is our inheritance as His servants. This should give you Joy! Joy!

Shared with you by L. Sommer