righteousness

it's always a test, if you will, of where my faith is (in Christ's righteousness or my own) when I have been "bad." (if you would allow me to use that terminology.) if understanding my sinfulness leads me down a self-centered tunnel of "try harder" and "i'm a horrible person," then i can be pretty positive that most of my confidence has been in my own ability to be good.

on the other hand, if recognizing sinfulness leads to praise that Christ lived righteously and blamelessly and gratefulness that his death was sufficient for the punishment i deserved, well then that is righteousness by faith.

yes!

another song

this song is incredible.

Jeremy Riddle - Sweetly Broken
From the album Sweetly Broken

To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing

For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just

At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified

You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled

At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness