1 Corinthians 1:30-31 – And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
THEME OF THE DAY. CHRIST: SUFFICIENT FOR ALL OUR NEEDS. Are you a confused Christian going through a hard time needing direction in life? Today’s scripture is for you. Are you are a defeated Christian feeling overwhelmed with feelings of worthlessness and condemnation? Today’s scripture is for you. Are you are a struggling Christian who seems to always fail the Lord, never growing in likeness to Him? Today’s scripture is for you. Are you a backslidden Christian gripped in worldliness and lack of closeness with the Lord? Today’s scripture is for you.
As believers in Jesus Christ, everything we need for life and godliness is found in Him. He also is all we need for eternity, but we are not there yet so let’s focus on the sufficiency of Christ in living out our Christian lives this side of heaven.
In the opening paragraph of today’s nugget, I identified four types of Christians; confused, defeated, struggling, and backslidden. Actually, those are not types of Christians, but experiences all Christians encounter in the spiritual seasons of the Christian life. And in each season, Jesus is enough. Let’s see the truth of this and rejoice it is so . . .
First, Jesus is our wisdom when confusion and the need for direction in life come upon us. Now this doesn’t mean we receive a text, email, or some verbal shout from heaven guiding us in a decision we need to make. What it does mean is that in Christ, we have the assurance that if we commit our ways to Him, He will guide us in paths for His glory. David wrote, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act” (Psalm 37:5). What peace comes to the soul that prays, “Lord, I need wisdom in this area of my life. With You as my wisdom, I commit this situation to You, trusting You to lead me as I guide my decision based on Your Word.”
Next, Jesus is our righteousness or perfect standing before God. This is crucial when Satan and conscience accuse and condemn us. If we listen to either, spiritual defeat is certain. To overcome these foes, remember and pray with thanksgiving the truth of Christ’s righteousness over us. Do so like this, “Father, I praise You for always seeing me right in Your eyes because of the perfect righteousness of Your Son upon me. I so thank You that my right standing with You is based on Your Son’s performance, not mine.” Such praying and praising will silence Satan and conscience leading us to walk in victory, not defeat.
The third area of sufficiency in Christ is in the battle for holiness or conformity to His image. This is called “sanctification” and the Apostle Paul states, “Christ is our sanctification.” What does that mean? Two things. First, we are set apart in Him. We are in an inseparable union with Christ. The word “sanctify” means to set apart for holy purposes. And that leads to the second application of Christ in us, our sanctification; He will complete the work He started of making us like Himself (Philippians 1:6). What God starts, God finishes. He started sanctifying us in His Son to be like His Son and that will be finished. Why? Because God the Father has made God the Son our sanctification.
Finally, Jesus is our redemption; a crucial truth to remember when we, as His sheep, choose to drift into “forbidden pastures” of spiritual neglect, laziness, and worldliness. Basically, we allow a backslidden condition settle into our lives. When it does, welcome miserable, joyless, and “grumpy” Christian. Why? Because we are not our own. Jesus, as our redemption, means He paid the ransom price to own us. And what He buys, He doesn’t give back. Once Christ redeems us, He owns us. He will not allow us to take back ownership of our lives. He will chastise us, discipline us, and bring us back by confession and repentance. What a glorious truth, even for the backslider.
Yes, my friend, Christ is sufficient for all we need. Let’s learn to trust Him for all we need for now and eternity.
PRAYER: “Father, how I so praise You for providing all I need for now and eternity in Your Son.”
QUOTE: “Jesus Christ is sufficient for all we need for now and eternity. Go to Him, rest in Him. He is enough”