“Their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord.”Isaiah 54:17

The longer the Christian lives, the more he learns; and the more the Spirit teaches him, the more he loathes himself and renounces his own righteousness as filthy rags. He hoped sensibly to grow in holiness, to feel his corruptions subdued, and to enjoy without interruption the presence of his God; but instead of this he seems to grow more like Satan, corruption appears to get stronger and stronger, and the depravity of his nature appears so dreadful, that he enjoys scarcely anything. He thinks himself a monster of iniquity, and wonders how God can possibly love him, or show any favor unto him. This experience endears free grace, renders Christ unspeakably precious, and the gift of righteousness invaluable. How can such a man be just before God? Where is his righteousness to come from? Jehovah answers, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS IS OF ME. Jesus wrought it; the Father imputes it to us; the gospel reveals it; and faith receives it, puts it on, and pleads it before God. O Jesus! in Thee have I righteousness and strength.–James Smith, 1840

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame;
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name;
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

In the Ozarks, where I was raised, it is common to find springs. On many occasions, tired and weary from hunting, I have taken a drink of cool water from a spring and been refreshed by it. That’s why these comments by James Smith caught my eye. People in ancient times depended greatly on water from springs, as a matter of survival, making them a great metaphor of Christ. Think about that as you read the following:

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.“–Proverbs 4:23

I heard about a king who lived in a castle in Scotland many years ago that was seemingly invulnerable from the back side. It was built on a cliff and there was a huge gorge behind it. So it was practically impregnable because no army would attempt to scale the cliff behind that castle.

One day the castle was attacked and the king put his entire army on the front side of the castle. Knowing he would do this, the enemy sent a small band of soldiers to climb the cliff and attack the back side of the castle. Once they were in, the king’s army was divided, the attack came full-on from the front, and the castle was taken.

How could that have happened? Well, the king protected their weakness – the front – but he didn’t protect his strength. In much the same way, men and women of God today see themselves as impervious to some sins. “I’d never cheat on my spouse,” they say. Or, “There’s no way I could ever…” fill in the blank. Yet these same people get caught up in those very sins because they leave them unguarded.

Don’t leave your strengths unguarded.  Keep watch at all times as temptation comes you way. Guard the castle of your heart and you’ll be equipped to fight off every sin. (Daily Word)

Not only is this sinful, it is stupid– the dumbest thing you could ever do! What could be more foolish than to reject God’s forgiveness, refuse God’s gift of eternal life, resent the grace of God, rebel against the command of God, resist the Spirit of God, and remain in your lost estate? Why would you do that? God’s grace is freely bestowed upon all who believe. It is there for the taking. Don’t refuse it. His grace will meet your deepest need, bring your greatest joy, provide perfect peace and bring about a glorious transformation. To refuse amazing grace is amazing! Think about it!