Act like who you are

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 22:3–23:30 
Acts 21:37–22:16 
Psalm 1:1-6 
Proverbs 18:11-12

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

2 Kings 23:25 (CSB) "Before him there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength according to all the law of Moses, and no one like him arose after him."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

In 2 Kings 23:25, we read some incredible words about Judah's King Josiah. These words are God's assessment of this godly king.

Wouldn't you like for God to think such things of you?

Then, give your heart to Jesus if you haven't already been saved. In the moment that you repent (turn your back on sin and self-rule) and trust in Jesus alone to forgive and save you from God's wrath, many remarkable things will happen. Among them is the fact that Jesus will trade with you - He will take your sin and you will get His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). So, positionally speaking, you are more righteous than King Josiah if you are saved because you have the righteousness of Christ credited to your account.

Second and finally, act like who you are. Since you are declared righteous, then pursue righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22). Again, the message of Christianity is "act like who you already are." Since you are declared righteous, act that way.

After all, this life isn't all there is. Our pursuit (or lack thereof) of righteousness will have eternal ramifications. When we breathe our last breath and stand before the Lord on the Day of Judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10), almost certainly we will wish that we had been even more serious about pursuing righteousness and seeking first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33). Eternal rewards to be enjoyed will be given out or withheld based upon how we lived this one life.

So, recognize that in Christ you are righteous if you have been saved. And then pursue righteousness each day of your life. All the while, look forward to the Day when your Lord will reward you for acting like who you are.