His Own, Then Everything Else
When centered on the coil, power flows, a simple picture of resting in Jesus and living from His resurrection life.
Devotional Credit: In Christ by E. Stanley Jones
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Philippians 3 walks us into a beautiful exchange. Paul lets go of a righteousness of his own and receives the righteousness that comes from God by faith in Jesus. From there he longs to know the Lord and the power of His resurrection. He presses on to make this life his own, because Christ Jesus has already made him His own.
E. Stanley Jones helps us see how practical this is. When Jesus claims me as His, the scattered pieces of life start to line up under His feet. I do not wrestle the “its” of life into place by pressure. I surrender to Him, and those things become His concern. Love, not law, moves the day.
Jones also reminds us that God’s righteousness is not a list of taboos. It is the positive righteousness that faced sin at the cross and defeated death in the resurrection. This is not moral bookkeeping. This is the living Lord working His life in us.
So I take courage. The way forward is not perfect performance. It is a Person. He has made me His own. I turn toward Him again and find that the “its” of the day do not own me. He does, and in Him I have what I need for a faithful, quiet, joyful walk.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I bear witness that you are made right with God through faith in Jesus. Not a righteousness of your own, but the righteousness that comes from God. I set your heart to know Him and the power of His resurrection. I teach you to press on, because Christ has taken hold of you, and I will finish what I began.
I make Jesus your wisdom, your righteousness, your sanctification, and your redemption. I join you to the Lord so that His life is your life. The old self was crucified with Him, and you now walk in newness of life. I raise you with Him through faith. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in you. I give life to your mortal body. I strengthen you so that you stand in grace and reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
I lift your attention to where Christ is seated. Set your mind on things above. Abide in Him, and you will bear much fruit. Thanks be to God, who gives you the victory through our Lord Jesus. By the grace of God you are who you are, and His grace toward you is not in vain.
Scripture references: Philippians 3:9 to 12, Romans 1:17, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:17, Romans 6:4 to 11, Colossians 2:12, Ephesians 1:19 to 21, Romans 8:11, Romans 5:17, Colossians 3:1 to 4, John 15:4 to 5, 1 Corinthians 15:57, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Philippians 1:6, Galatians 2:20.
Real-Life Analogy
Think of placing a phone on a wireless charger. When the phone is slightly off center, nothing happens. When it rests on the coil, power flows without strain. Living from union with Jesus is like that. The Holy Spirit centers us on the risen Lord, and resurrection life flows into ordinary moments. Emails and errands are still there, yet they no longer drain the soul, because the Source is present and active.
Try this today. Before you start a task that feels bigger than you, pause and settle your heart on the Lord. Say, Lord, I trust You to center me in Yourself and work Your resurrection life through me as I take this next step.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, thank You that in Jesus I have Your righteousness. Thank You that He has taken hold of me, and that His resurrection power is at work in my real life today. I receive this day as a place to walk from union with Your Son. Nothing needs to own me, because I belong to Him. Lord, I trust You to keep me at Your feet and to bring the “its” of the day under Your care.