Today, I thought I would share a passage that has recently become my favorite verse.

"It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption."

1 Corinthians 1:30

Let me explain something. Doctrine has began to really show it's importance to Dennis and I. Studying scripture for what it is and not what we as humans want it to be is eye opening. To see just how sovereign, how powerful, how just, how merciful, and the list goes on our God truly is can't even compare to the tiny grasp I long for. 

Something to be true in our studies is to find all the explicit statements regarding a tough subject. Then to find all the scriptures that might contradict what those explicit statements say. Then study, study, and study.  God is not contradictory. When discovering this, scripture has come alive even more. A burden that could have been heavy is now lifted. Never try to explain scripture without using scripture. Never put God in a box. 

I love 1 Corinthians 1:30 especially the first part,  

"It is because of Him.."

Let me stop there for a moment. It doesn't say, maybe because of Him or possibly because of Him, but

"because of Him"

then it goes on to say,

"because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus..."

What a powerful statement. Not because of our self, or someone else, but because of HIM we are in Christ Jesus! this brings me to my knees before my Savior. What makes me worthy of Him? The only way I can answer that question is because I serve a God that ultimately creates to bring glory to Himself. Sounds selfish? Not by all means. Christ is perfect and He chose to create and destroy what He pleases all so that He can be glorified.

Finally, only because of Christ Jesus can we receive righteousness, holiness and redemption.