Without our faith in Christ Jesus, we are darkness (Ephesians 5:8). “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” (Rom. 3:10-12) But because of our faith in Christ, we are made righteous in the eyes of God. “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile” (Rom 3:22).

Our Lord and Savior is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). We can be assured that God will continue to bring justice and fairness, even if we don’t personally see His justice applied. “I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.” (Ps. 7:17)

And because of His great love for us, He sent His Son to fulfill the task of bringing to the world the knowledge of God. Part of Jesus’s mission on earth was to demonstrate God’s righteousness and to be a light for all the nations. “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” (Is. 42:6-7)

And because He has made us righteous through Jesus Christ, we are made light. “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:6) It is an undeserved gift given by His great love, mercy and grace (Romans 3:22-24). What a privilege we have to work to help fulfill Jesus’s mission after we seek His righteousness (Matt. 6:33), and then let His light shine in us for His glory (Matt. 5:16).

Today I am thankful that through Jesus Christ I have been made righteous in the eyes of the Lord, and am a child of God. I am thankful that through Him, I am able to allow His light to shine through me. I am able to support my husband in his time of need with the love, joy and peace through Christ Jesus. What are you thankful for today?