Along with my Bible reading plan I've been digging into Milton Vincent's "A Gospel Primer for Christians". A book of bite-sized readings that dig into the heart of God's love for us. While the readings are bite-sized in length they are so meaty that it takes a day or two to digest each short piece.
Today after reading the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1 and 2 I read these words by Vincent (just a short excerpt of today's reading): "According to Romans 6, when I obeyed the gospel call I was both declared righteous and "became a slave to righteousness" at the same time... Hence, it could be said that 'sanctification' is merely the lifelong process wherein I joyfully surrender myself to God's imputed righteousness... Indeed, God has clothed me with His righteousness. Now He wants this righteousness to master me."
The combination of reading about Hannah and her amazing profession before God to give her son to God's service if He would bless her with a child... her faithful obedience to do just that; and reading the statements above re: the effects of righteousness on the life of believers has me wondering how much my life is effected by or mastered by righteousness. How often does what I'm doing with my time, my life, my choices, my heart reflect the directions given by God's righteousness. How often does my life reflect more of ME?? Sadly, if I examine my days too closely I think there is much more of me than I want to see and far too little of God's righteousness reflected in my daily living.
Holy Spirit shape my days by shaping my heart. Help me to grasp the reality of being declared righteous and being a slave to righteousness so that my life reflects Your righteousness for Your Glory!
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