“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”
2 Cor 5:20-21 (NKJV)
In today’s generation, we may no longer value a compass or physical map as much as we value a GPS (Global Positioning System). “Yes, there’s an app for it!” :). We rely, or are even over-reliant, on it for our positioning, direction, and even timetable. Without it, we feel anxious, as if there is something missing. We wonder, “What if I don’t get to my destination in time …” "What if I get completely lost …” “What if I miss the schedule …” etc. Living in an era where time feels scarce and is so incredibly valuable, where punctuality and accuracy are the priceless currency, we won’t play around with time wasting uncertainties. We want something that is clear, reliable, and "spot on" to guide and govern our lives. This is what smart people are conscious of. What about spiritually? Do we have that same level of insight and intentionality to ensure that what guides and governs us is clear, reliable and spot on? What do you use as your “GPS”? Are you utilizing it and relying on it as the compass for your life ... and more importantly, for your eternal destiny?
Paul repeatedly expressed in his writings that Christ has redeemed us through His blood. And through His holy sacrifice, we have been justified, which means our sin has been forgiven (Eph 1:7). The Son of God had become the “Lamb of God”- the Mediator for sinners and His Father. “Jesus who “knew no sin to be sin for us” (2 Cor 5:21). He became the ransom for all mankind (1 Tim 2:6). It is very important that we comprehend this gift of justification through what Jesus has done. However, it is also equally important that we understand what it means to be justified, and what we should do when our sins are forgiven.
As the scripture says, we are forgiven so that we might become the “righteousness of God.” It is not enough to just receive the unconditional gift of forgiveness without us to continually and intentionally walk and to live in the righteousness of God. When Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life”, He made it very clear that He is our compass. He is our GPS. “… No one can come to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6). Yes, Jesus has perfectly completed His assignment by redeeming us through His holy sacrifice. And yet, it requires our determined response to walk and live in His righteousness continually that we might “become the righteousness of God in Him” as the above scripture says.
What is your GPS? What or who do you permit to be your life's regulator? What standard of law, ideal or truth that you submit under or chase after? We live in a world that is no longer shy in expressing its own standard of “righteousness”. It deliberates in influencing its rules and truth of how to live your “best” life today. Frankly speaking, we live in a world today where is so saturated with both covert and overt narcissistic personalities. “What matters is what I think matters to me!” “I am the GPS!”. Sadly, this is often true for both the non-believers, and even believers alike.
As an authentic disciple of Jesus Christ, our compass, or GPS, is Jesus Christ. He is our - the - standard of righteousness – the “Law” we abide in - the Model whom we strive hard to emulate. As stated above, punctuality and accuracy are the currency of today’s era. Let’s not waste our time and the chance that is still extended to us to become the righteousness of God. Pay attention and be seriously abiding in our One and Only accurate GPS for our eternal hope. Study Jesus! Get to know Him through His Word and personal time with Him in prayers! Only then can you and I know what is in His mind and His heart (conscience), and be transformed by the Truth. Praying for you! AMEN!
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