Come and Seek and Find
297
Righteousness Found in Christ
Then come, and seek, and find. The reservoir of power is open, is
full and free. Come with humble hearts, not thinking that you must
do some good work to merit the favor of God, or that you must make
yourself better before you can come to Christ. You are powerless to
do good, and cannot better your condition. Apart from Christ we have
no merit, no righteousness. Our sinfulness, our weakness, our human
imperfection make it impossible that we should appear before God
unless we are clothed in Christ’s spotless righteousness. We are to be
found in Him not having our own righteousness, but the righteousness
which is in Christ. Then in the name that is above every name, the
only name given among men whereby men can be saved, claim the
promise of God, saying, “Lord, forgive my sin; I put my hands into
Thy hand for help, and I must have it, or perish. I now believe.” The
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Saviour says to the repenting sinner, “No man cometh unto the Father,
but by me” (
John 14:6
), “and him that cometh to me I will in no wise
cast out” (
John 6:37
). “I am thy salvation” (
Psalm 35:3
).
When you respond to the drawing of Christ, and join yourself to
Him, you manifest saving faith. To talk of religious things in a casual
way, to pray for spiritual blessings without real soul hunger and living
faith, avails little. The wondering crowd that pressed close about Jesus
realized no accession of vital power from the contact. But when the
poor, suffering woman, who for twelve years had been an invalid, in
her great need put forth her hand and touched the hem of His garment,
she felt the healing virtue. Hers was the touch of faith, and Christ
recognized that touch. He knew that virtue had gone out from Him,
and turning about in the throng, He asked, “Who touched me?” (
Luke
8:45
). Surprised at such a question, the disciples answered, “Master,
the multitude throng thee, ... and sayest thou, Who touched me? And
Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is
gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she
came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him
before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she
was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good
comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace” (
Luke 8:45-48
).
The faith which avails to bring us in vital contact with Christ expresses
on our part supreme preference, perfect reliance, entire consecration.