Dirty Rags No More

 Dirty Rags No More

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. (Isaiah 64:6)

It is true that any shortcoming of God’s law offends his perfect holiness and makes us liable to judgment, since God cannot look with favor on any sin (Habakkuk 1:13; James 2:10–11). 

But what brought a person to ruin in the Old Testament (and it is the same for us today) was not the failure to have the righteousness of sinless perfection. What brought them to ruin was the failure to trust in the merciful promises of God, especially the hope that he would one day provide a Redeemer who would be a perfect righteousness for his people (“The Lord is our righteousness,” Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16). The Old Testament saints knew that this is how they were saved, and that this faith was the key to obedience, and that obedience was the evidence of this faith. 

It is terribly confusing when people say that the only righteousness that has any value is the imputed righteousness of Christ. To be sure, justification is not grounded on any of our righteousness — even Spirit-given righteousness by faith — but only on the righteousness of Christ imputed to us. But sometimes people are careless and speak disparagingly of all human righteousness, as if there were no such righteousness worked in us that pleased God. This is not helpful.

They often cite Isaiah 64:6, which says our righteousness is as filthy rags, or “a polluted garment.” 

But in the context, Isaiah 64:6 does not mean that all righteousness performed by God’s people is unacceptable to God. Isaiah is referring to people whose righteousness is in fact hypocritical. It is no longer righteousness. But in the verse just before this, Isaiah says that God approvingly meets “him who joyfully works righteousness” (Isaiah 64:5).

It’s true — gloriously true — that none of God’s people, before or after the cross, would be accepted by an immaculately holy God if the perfect righteousness of Christ were not imputed to us (Romans 5:19; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). That is true! But that does not mean God does not produce in those very “justified” people an experiential righteousness that is not a “polluted garment” — even though it is not yet perfected. 

In fact, he does produce such a righteousness, and this righteousness is precious to God and is, in fact, required — not as the ground of our justification (which is the righteousness of Christ only), but as an evidence of our being truly justified children of God. This is what Paul prays for, and we should pray for. He prays in Philippians 1:10–11 “that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY APRIL 30, 2026.

SUBJECT : WHY PRAY?

Memory verse: "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (Second Chronicles 7 vs 14.)"

READ: Psalm 5 vs 1 - 3: 

5:1: Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.

5:2: Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray.

5:3: My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.

INTIMATION:

Praying is to speak reverently to God in order to sincerely express thanks, praise, or make a request. Therefore, to pray is to express one’s desires; praise or appeal to God in words or thought. Prayer brings us closer to God; it not only establishes a relationship with God, it is vital to maintaining our relationship with Him. 

It helps us in recognizing who God is and offering Him glory, honor, and adoration due to Him. The secret of a close relationship with God is built on the altar of prayer. It is essential to start each morning with prayer, when our minds are more free from the usual daily hustles and bustles, and commit the whole day to God. 

Regular communication helps any friendship, and it is certainly necessary for a strong relationship with God. This is evidenced in the life of Jesus. He constantly went before God in prayer to determine God’s Will and direction, resist temptation, ask for courage, discover what His Father in heaven would do, offer thanksgiving, pray for others, etc. Matthew 26 vs 36 - 39 and Mark 14 vs 34 - 41 describe Jesus being very distressed about His crucifixion. He brings this matter to His Father, seeking His Will.

Prayer is one of the greatest opportunities given to man by God. It is one of the greatest privileges and ministries available to all Christians. It brings us in communion with God, and our humbly being in the presence of God at all times is the secret to continual triumph of the believer, hence the reason to pray without ceasing. 

Indeed, everyone who seeks to take his or her place in the Kingdom of God should seek or learn how to pray effectively. Jesus Christ never taught His disciples how to preach, but rather taught them how to pray. (Matthew 6 vs 9 - 13.) Jesus Christ told the disciples "WHEN YOU PRAY" and not "IF YOU PRAY" therefore, the onus is on us to pray. 

Jesus is a prime example of a life lived by prayer that offers relevance, purpose, answers, and above all, a relationship with God the Father. Jesus prayed wholeheartedly for every move He made, asking God for guidance, leading, and direction. He prayed prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for healing, prayers for His disciples, and prayers for believers—present and future.

Apostle Paul, in First Thessalonians 5 vs 17, advises the believers thus, "Pray without ceasing." For him, prayer is the ultimate lifeline for the believer to God. This attitude of praying at all times is built upon acknowledging our dependence on God, realizing His presence within us, and determining to obey Him fully. 

We cannot spend all our times on our knees, but it is possible to have a prayerful attitude at all times. And we will find it natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, and short prayers. Short prayer attitude is not a substitute to regular times of prayer, but should be an outgrowth of it. In Philippians 4:6, Paul tells believers to pray for everything with thanksgiving.

Prayer is the platform of seeking direction from God. In Matthew 7 vs 7 - 11, Jesus talks about asking, seeking, and knocking, “For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.” Jesus encourages us to ask God for things. “If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him?”

Prayer is to be offered in the Name of Jesus (John 14 vs 13), that is, the prayer must accord with His character, and must be presented in the same spirit of dependence and submission that marked His pattern (Matthew 11 vs 26; 26 vs 39, 42; Luke 22 vs 42).

Faith is essential to prayer (Matthew 21 vs 22; Mark 11 vs 24; James 1 vs 5 - 8), for faith is the recognition of, and committal of ourselves and our matters to the faithfulness of God. Sometimes you think that God will not hear you because you have fallen short of His high standards for holy living, but if you have faith, and have trusted Him for salvation, you should know that God has forgiven you and He will listen to you. 

Some other times you grow tired of praying because it seems God is not answering you, but a Christian's persistence in prayer is an expression of faith that God answers prayer. Faith shouldn't die if the answers come slowly, for delay is not denial, and it may be God's way of working His Will. Always be confident, and know that God is present, always listening, and always answers in ways that He knows are best for us.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with spirit of supplication, and total dependence and trust in You. I am persuaded that in Your lovingkindness You will liberally give me if I ask. For without You I can do nothing. Give me the grace to come to You in all things, and at al times, in Jesus Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Fifteen Tactics for Joy

 Fifteen Tactics for Joy

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

In this life of sin and pain, joy is embattled. Just like faith. And Paul says to Timothy, “Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). So it is with joy. We must work for it and fight for it. Paul said to the Corinthians, “We work with you for your joy” (2 Corinthians 1:24).

How then shall we fight for joy? Here are 15 pointers.

Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift.

Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly. And don’t be put off by the paradox of these first two pointers!

Resolve to attack all known sin in your life, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Learn the secret of gutsy guilt — how to fight like a justified sinner.

Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see — to see God for who he is.

Meditate on the word of God day and night.

Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.

Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself.

Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight.

Be patient in the night of God’s seeming absence.

Get the rest, exercise, and proper diet that your body was designed by God to have.

Make a proper use of God’s revelation in nature — take a walk in the woods.

Read great books about God and biographies of great saints.

Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (your verbal witness and deeds of mercy).

Get a global vision for the cause of Christ, and pour yourself out for the unreached.

Every one of those has Bible verses to support it. If you want to see them, they are in the book When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY APRIL 29, 2026.

SUBJECT: LEAD A FAITH-FILLED CHRISTIAN LIFE!

Memory verse: “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Hebrews 6 vs 10.) 

READ: First Thessalonians 1 vs 2 - 8:

1:2: We give thanks to God for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

1:3: remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father,

1:4: knowing, beloved brethren, your election of God.

1:5: For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

1:6: And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

1:7: so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

1:8: For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

INTIMATION:

How would people describe your Christian life? As Christians, our calling from God is to become like Christ (Romans 8 vs 29). This is a gradual lifelong process that will be completed when we see Christ face to face (First John 3 vs 2). To be worthy of this calling means to want to do what is right and good as Christ would. We aren’t perfect yet, but we’re moving in that direction as God works in us. 

The Thessalonian Christians, in apostle Paul’s days, excelled in three areas of discipleship that exemplified them as a truly converted group of people. They were exemplary—a role model—in their work produced by faith; they were not disciples who simply believed in God and Jesus. Their faith was carried into action with an obedient response to the grace of God. 

In their labor prompted by love in their relationship with one another moved them into action to care for one another. And their endurance was inspired by hope; hope of eternity in heaven moved them to remain committed to that which is necessary to arrive at their eternal dwelling in heaven. Because of their hope of heaven, they remained committed to Christ. Once one gives up hope, he or she loses his or her incentive to maintain a life that is governed by the principles of Christ. For the Christians in Thessalonica, their work, labor, and patience were all anchored in Christ. 

These characteristics ought to be the marks of Christians in any age. Even in persecution they stood firm (1 vs 6; 3 vs 1 - 4, 7, 8). They welcomed the pain and troubles with joy, and the joy with the trouble. The message of salvation, though welcomed with great joy, brought the Thessalonians severe affliction (suffering) because it led to persecution from both Jews and Gentiles (3 vs 2 - 4; Acts 17 vs 5.) 

The believers in both Macedonia and Achaia looked up to the believers in Thessalonica due to their exemplary Christian lifestyles. The news about them had spread all around the provinces. Their lives were echoing Christ’s Word, not only in the provinces but all over the places. The news of their faith in God was great that the apostles felt that their jobs were already done, as they didn’t need to preach anymore messages—the believers’ lifestyles were the message. 

How would people evaluate your work of faith? Do you melt at little challenges of life? Or can you proudly show your works produced by faith in God? Many Christians, at little shaking in life by unfavorable circumstances, will become weak in faith, and succumb to searching for alternatives that usually lead them away from following Christ. They will resort to visiting various native doctors, and prayers houses which are manned by native doctors or false prophets (wolf in sheep's clothing). 

How have you labored in love for Christ: reaching out to unsaved souls, doing the extra to ensure the spreading of the Good News of the gospel? Many Christians think that reaching out to unsaved souls is primarily the exclusive preserve of the pastors or ministers of the gospel. Christ’s command is to all believers: “And he said to them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16 vs 15). The “ministry of reconciliation” is given to all who are, by faith, children of God, reconciled to Him through faith in Christ (Second Corinthians 5 vs 18 - 19). We have been equipped with the Good News—the gospel—“the word of reconciliation” to share.

Many believers today think that pain is an exception in Christian life. When suffering occurs, they say, “Why Me?” They feel as though God deserted them, or they may accuse Him of not being dependable as they thought He should be. In reality, the world is sinful, so even believers suffer. Some will start querying if God is still on His Throne. He allows some Christians to become martyrs for the faith, and He allows others to survive persecution. 

Rather than asking, “Why me?” we should ask, “Why not me?” Our faith and the values of this world are on collision course. If we expect pain and suffering to come, we will not be shocked when they occur. We can take comfort in knowing that Jesus also suffered. He understands our fears, our weaknesses, and our disappointments (Hebrews 2 vs 16 - 18; 4 vs 14 - 16). He promised never to leave us (Matthew 28 vs 18 - 20), and He intercedes on our behalf (Hebrews 7 vs 24 - 25). In times of pain, persecution, or suffering, trust confidently in Christ.

Believers are elected by God Himself (John 6 vs 44 & 65). Being chosen comes from the heart of God (not our minds). It should be an incentive to please God, rather than ignore Him, and should give birth to gratitude rather than being complacent. Human responsibility requires that we actively confess Christ as Lord, focus on living to please Him, and share the gospel with others.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You so much for the privilege of adopting me as Your child. You demonstrated in Christ Your unalloyed love for me. Let Your love that has been poured out in my heart by the Holy Spirit engender my exemplary Christian life in my work, love, and patient hope in You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Day Is at Hand

 The Day Is at Hand

The night is far gone; the day is at hand. (Romans 13:12)

This is a word of hope to suffering Christians. It’s a word of hope to Christians who hate their own sin and long to be done with sinning. It’s a word of hope to Christians who long for the last enemy Death to be overcome and thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14).

How is it a word of hope for all these?

“The night” stands for this age of darkness and all its sin and misery and death. And what does Paul say about it? “The night is far gone.” The age of sin and misery and death is almost spent. The day of righteousness and peace and total joy is dawning.

You might say, “2,000 years seems like a long dawn.” From one standpoint it is. And we cry, How long, O Lord, how long will you let it go on? But the biblical way to think goes beyond this lament of “How long!” It looks at world history differently.

The key difference is that the “day” — the new age of the Messiah — has really dawned in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the end of this fallen age. That is, the end of this fallen age has, as it were, broken in to this world. Jesus defeated sin and pain and death and Satan when he died and rose again. The decisive battle of the ages is over. The kingdom has come. Eternal life has come.

And when dawn happens — as it did in the coming of Jesus — no one should doubt the coming of day. Not even if the dawn draws out 2,000 years. As Peter says in 2 Peter 3:8, “Do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” The dawn has come. The day has arrived. Nothing can stop the rising of the sun to full day.

Every day in the God's Word

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY APRIL 28, 2026.

SUBJECT : GOD WILL REWARD YOUR WORK AND LABOR OF LOVE!

Memory verse: "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister." (Hebrews 6 vs 10.)

READ: Hbrews 6 vs 9 - 12:

6:9: But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 

6:10: For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have minietered to the saints and do minister. 

6:11: And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 

6:12: that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those you through faith and patience inherit the promisss. 

INTIMATION:

The "work and labor of love" refers to selfless, diligent service performed for God and others, specifically by ministering to the saints. This work is motivated by love for Christ rather than financial gain, and it is remembered and rewarded by a just God, even when unnoticed by men. It describes work done with passion and commitment without expectation of compensation. God would not discount the manifestation of your love of Him through your ministry. And this hope of reward keeps the Christian from becoming lazy or feeling bored. 

The exhortation here is that, as Christians we should be diligent in our good works. We must not be lazy in our response to the love of God demonstrated on the cross by offering His Son as a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. In order to make our calling and election sure, we must remain diligent unto the end of our lives (Revelation 2 vs 10). 

The Christian's diligence is not as one who would accumulate meritorious merits in order to win a prize. The good works the Christian does are not to be considered an accumulation of points by which he would put God in debt to save him. The good works are the manifestation of one's continued thanksgiving for one's salvation. If one does not continue to be diligent, therefore, he or she has discontinued his or her appreciation for what God has accomplished for us through the cross. 

It's noteworthy that because of hope that is before Christians, and the love expressed to them by God in the past, Christians must not be lazy, but diligent workers. Their faith is active because of their hope in all that Christ has promised to those who are diligent to the end. Through obedient faith, therefore, they will inherit the fulfillment of God's promises concerning the rest that is yet to come. 

In Christians' labor prompted by love in their relationship with one another they are moved into action to care for one another. And their endurance in so doing is inspired by hope; hope of eternity in heaven which moves them to remain committed to that which is necessary to arrive at their eternal dwelling in heaven. Because of their hope of heaven, they remain committed to Christ. Once one gives up hope, he or she loses his or her incentive to maintain a life that is governed by the principles of Christ. Their work, labor, and patience is all centered in Christ. 

The key components of "Work and Labor of Love" are (1) Motivation by love: This labor stems from devotion to Christ and affection for the church, rather than a "hireling" mentality seeking monetary payment. (2) Action demonstrated in service: It includes tangible actions like "ministering to the saints" (supporting other Christians) and active service in the house of God (helping, and serving in church). (3) Durability: Continuing in the good works as highlighted in the text "you have ministered and do minister," indicating consistence, and ongoing. (4) God’s Response (The Promise): "God is not unjust to forget": This is a core encouragement from the Scriptures. Because God is righteous, He cannot overlook the labor done for His name. It is a promise that such work is never in vain. (5) Divine Reward: While the work is done freely, God rewards the labor with blessings, including spiritual protection and provision.  

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of delightsome to You and Your Word and consistency in good works till the end. My utmost heart desire is to be among Your kingdom giants in investing in the things of the kingdom and being my brother's keeper, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Great Exchange

 The Great Exchange

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed. (Romans 1:16–17)

We need righteousness to be acceptable to God. But we don’t have it. What we have is sin. 

So, God has what we need and don’t deserve — righteousness; and we have what God hates and rejects — sin. What is God’s answer to this situation? 

His answer is Jesus Christ, the Son of God who died in our place and bore our condemnation. “By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he [God] condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:3). Whose flesh bore the condemnation? His. Whose sins were being condemned? Ours. This is the great exchange. Here it is again in 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

God lays our sins on Christ and punishes them in him. And in Christ’s obedient death, God fulfills and vindicates his righteousness and imputes (credits) it to us. Our sin on Christ; his righteousness on us.

We can hardly stress too much that Christ is God’s answer to our greatest problem. It is all owing to Christ. 

You can’t love Christ too much. You can’t think about him too much, or thank him too much, or depend upon him too much. All our forgiveness, all our justification, all our righteousness is in Christ.

This is the gospel — the good news that our sins are laid on Christ and his righteousness is laid on us, and that this great exchange becomes ours not by works but by faith alone. “By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Here is the good news that lifts burdens and gives joy and makes strong.