We took our heifer to the Fort Worth Stock Show last weekend. Cows were everywhere, inside and outside the barns. They and their owners waited for their numbers to be called. When the time came they walked into an arena. A judge began to look at them, scrutinizing them. Then the judge placed them in order, the best to the worst. On a microphone he announced the results and explained why some cows were better than others. This one's neck was not feminine (whatever that means?!). Another needed to be longer. This one was overconditioned (had eaten too much).
Maybe it is my gift of mercy, but I found myself wondering how the cows felt about this. Some bellowed at the top of their lungs. Others, like our Maylee, marched patiently in line. A few tried to make a break for the exits. Who wants to be judged?
The Psalmist and the New Testament writers envision a moment of judgement when God will separate the wicked from the righteous. The wicked pursue a collision course with destruction. But the Lord watches over the way of the righteous. So how do we get right with God? Do we all just try a little harder to do a little better? No we receive the grace of God which redeems us from the penalty and releases us from the power of sin. When we trust in Jesus Christ, God imputes his perfect Son's righteousness to us.
When God, the just Judge looks at each of us he finds flaws. We could never be saved by our own good deeds. But when we trust in Jesus Christ, he makes us righteous. Here is the good news: we are worse off than we thought, but more loved than we ever dreamed!
