Jaw-dropping Jewels about Jesus
Rarely does Jesus, God the Son, do exactly what we expect of Him. It seems odd that He so frequently surprises us, given that He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 makes this absolute statement: “Jesus the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Still, though He is blessedly consistent in His goodness, Jesus does unforeseen things. Even when He does what is expected, He does not always do it in the way that we anticipate. Let us join with Jesus on a jaw-dropping journey. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
The everpresent danger of demonic activity (Revelation 9) requires awareness and alertness by all Christians. Ephesians 6:14 compassionately commands, “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.” This breastplate was made of tough leather and sometimes incorporated metal plates or chains. It covered the body from neck to thighs, front and back. The Jewish people (remember, Paul was Jewish) associated the heart with the will and the stomach and intestines with emotions. Thus, Paul is telling us that both the human will and human feelings must be wrapped securely in the righteousness of God. We cannot stand, as some teach, in our own righteousness. Self-righteousness is a Satanic idea, for “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6b). Paul himself debunks the concept of self-righteousness in Philippians 3:4-9. He lists his stellar credentials and accomplishments but then reckons them to be “dung” (verse 8) – nothing but refuse and rubbish. He is adamant and absolute: “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” (verse 9). May our faith be solely in Jesus, God the Son, for then our unrightousness is replaced by His righteousness.