My Only Ground Is Jesus
When the window of self closes, the light of Jesus floods in.
Devotional Credit:
The Church of the Firstborn – Chapter 1
by T. Austin-Sparks (excerpt used in Open Windows)
Photo Credit:
Unsplash
Today’s devotional from T Austin-Sparks confronts us with an uncomfortable yet liberating truth: we are capable of the very worst, and nothing of ourselves counts before God. Sparks speaks plainly. Our best intentions, our purest motives, even our most diligent striving, do not register as righteousness before a holy God. The Cross was not God's response to our failure to measure up. It was His declaration that we were never the measure to begin with.
Sparks invites us to put away all illusions about self. He holds up the mirror of Scripture, not to shame us, but to reveal the raw truth: left to ourselves, we carry within us the same nature capable of hatred, destruction, and rebellion. The only difference between us and the worst offenders in history may simply be that God, in His mercy, restrained us from ever being tested to that point.
But here’s the radiant contrast. God does not leave us exposed. Jesus, the Righteous One, becomes our only ground of acceptance. We do not stand before God on the basis of self-improvement, but on the basis of Christ alone. We are not declared righteous because we have done better, but because Jesus is our righteousness. And it is in clinging to Him by faith that we are delivered, not only from guilt, but from the delusion that there is any good apart from Him.
This is not morbid self-reflection. It is freedom. For those who tremble at God’s Word, for those who no longer say, “I’m doing fine,” but instead declare, “Only Jesus,” there is a deep and lasting peace. There is a Spirit-born humility that opens the window to glory.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I do not ask you to defend yourself. I do not call you to prove your worth or explain your motives. I have already placed all your sin, all your self-righteousness, and all your strength upon the Cross. It was there that I ended the old so I could give you the new.
You were crucified with Jesus. Your life now is not your own. I live in you. I did not reform you. I replaced you. I did not strengthen the old man. I put him in the grave and raised you with My Son into newness of life. Your righteousness is not your conduct. Your security is not your performance. Your safety is found only in Jesus, who is your life.
When anger rises in your heart or pride insists on being right, remember, the flesh profits nothing. When you feel unworthy or ashamed, do not try to prove otherwise. Instead, let your heart cling to Me. Let your soul rest in the One who overcame every temptation and fulfilled every word of the law for you.
You are not called to stand on your record. You are called to stand on Jesus. And as you abide in Him, what is of Him will be formed in you. That which is not of Me will one day be gone, but what I have worked into you will endure forever.
Scripture References: Colossians 1:27, Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:6–11, Philippians 3:8–9, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 15:4–5, Isaiah 66:2, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Romans 3:23–26, Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8–9
Real-Life Analogy
Imagine logging into your computer and trying to open an outdated program. No matter how many times you click it, the operating system keeps alerting you: this version is no longer supported. In frustration, you try again, hoping the result will be different. But the system has moved on. It no longer recognizes what you once relied on.
That’s the reality of trying to live the Christian life from the old self. God has already rendered it inoperable. He doesn’t fix it. He doesn’t update it. He replaces it with something entirely new. So today, if you’re tempted to justify yourself or rely on old patterns of control, comparison, or pride, pause and acknowledge it. Then say with a full heart, “Lord, I trust You to live Your life in me and through me in this moment, for only You are my ground of righteousness.” Whether you’re navigating conflict, feeling misunderstood, or simply tired of your own reactions, let Him express His life where yours ends.
Prayer of Confidence
Lord, I praise You that I no longer have to offer up my track record or try to convince You that I’m worthy. You have already made the final declaration in Jesus. Thank You that my old self was crucified and that I now live from the life of Your Son in me. I rest in the truth that I am hidden in Him. I cling to Jesus alone as my righteousness, my acceptance, and my peace. You are my ground, and I stand secure because You placed me on that Rock.