Righteousness

I used to listen to sermons and want a three step application. I wanted to know exactly what steps I needed to take to achieve, in my practical daily life, whatever the pastor was challenging me to do. 

I realize now that this is legalism.  I wanted to be able to check something off my list of righteous acts. I wanted to be able to say "ok, I did steps A, B and C so I've done my duty. I'm righteous." I wouldn't have stated it this way, but that's what I was really thinking in my heart. 

So what is the proper response to a pastor's challenge? I will not claim to have it all figured out, but I tend to think that the only thing we can do is to cry out to God. Our only possible course of action is to say "God please help me! I want to serve you, I want to glorify you, I want to be dependent on you, I want to trust you, I want to obey your commands with my whole heart! Help me to do this!"  

This may not seem like a satisfying answer to you (if you are anything like me). It's definitely not that three step process that makes everything so plain. But it really is all we can do. For bringing about righteousness in our lives by our own work is fruitless. All it can bring about is either despair or pride.  

So present yourself as instruments of righteousness in God's hands. Because true righteousness only comes from his hands. It can never come from our own. All we can offer of ourselves is filthy rags.  Our only course of action is dependence on God. The only thing we can stand on is Christ's death on the cross.  The only thing we can do is call out to him.