The Lord Our Righteousness
The sermon emphasizes the importance of remembering our perfection in Christ and living a life of gratitude for salvation through His merits.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the profound peace and joy that comes from understanding the perfect righteousness of Christ. He encourages believers to shift their focus from their own corruption to the completeness they have in Christ, reminding them that they are 'perfect in Christ Jesus.' Spurgeon asserts that despite life's challenges and the assaults of Satan, believers can rejoice because Christ has accomplished everything necessary for their salvation. He highlights that true gratitude for salvation leads to a life dedicated to serving and loving Christ, as the love of Christ compels us to live for Him. Ultimately, he concludes that those who embrace Christ's righteousness will experience a deeper appreciation for their own righteousness imparted by Him.
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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.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Perfect Righteousness of Christ
- A. A source of calm and peace for believers
- B. A reminder of our perfection in Christ
- II. The Importance of Remembering Our Perfection in Christ
- A. Contrast to dwelling on corruption and depravity
- B. Encouragement to rejoice in Christ's righteousness
- III. The Covenant of Divine Grace
- A. Christ's finished work on the cross
- B. Our completeness in Him
- IV. The Motive of Gratitude
- A. Living to Christ and loving Him
- B. Serving Him in gratitude for salvation
Key Quotes
“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.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“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.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The love of Christ constraineth us, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto Him which died for them.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We should rejoice in Christ's righteousness and remember our perfection in Him.
- Living for Christ is motivated by gratitude for salvation through His merits.
- We should value imparted righteousness, which is the result of imputed righteousness.