It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease,
and peace, to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often
are the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to
be. I do not think they would if they could always see their
perfection in Christ. There are some who are always talking about
corruption, and the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of
the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further, and
remember that we are "perfect in Christ Jesus." It is no wonder that
those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such
downcast looks; but surely if we call to mind that "Christ is made
unto us righteousness," we shall be of good cheer. What though
distresses afflict me, though Satan assault me, though there may be
many things to be experienced before I get to heaven, those are done
for me in the covenant of divine grace; there is nothing wanting in
my Lord, Christ hath done it all. On the cross He said, "It is
finished!" and if it be finished, then am I complete in Him, and can
rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, "Not having mine own
righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the
faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." You
will not find on this side heaven a holier people than those who
receive into their hearts the doctrine of Christ's righteousness.
When the believer says, "I live on Christ alone; I rest on Him solely
for salvation; and I believe that, however unworthy, I am still saved
in Jesus;" then there rises up as a motive of gratitude this thought--
"Shall I not live to Christ? Shall I not love Him and serve Him,
seeing that I am saved by His merits?" "The love of Christ
constraineth us," "that they which live should not henceforth live
unto themselves but unto Him which died for them." If saved by
imputed righteousness, we shall greatly value imparted righteousness.
