The Merit of Christ Jesus

     There is nothing more glorious then the merit of our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ.  There is nothing more filled with utter splendor then the very life and death of Christ alone.  This is the essence of true salvation.  This is the cornerstone of the Christian church.  This is the bedrock of the faith.  No merit is so wonderful and so great as the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  There is no merit that compares with the merit of Jesus Christ.  The so-called "merit" of saints in works of satisfaction will never endure the test of our Lord and His holiness.  I think it is reasonably said that people who believe in additional merit lack a proper view of the nature of man and the nature of God's holiness.  The nature of God's holiness should make us fly to Christ alone, for in Him alone is the purity needed to stand before the God of heaven and earth.  The nature of man's depravity should teach us that we cannot contribute to our salvation through cooperation, for it adds to the Gospel of grace and peace.  We desperately need the saving merit of Jesus Christ, for it is the sole basis for how we are right with God.  God declares us right in His sight by the virtue of virtues that is found in His life and death alone.  To have the merit needed to enter heaven we must be God Incarnate, but there was only one man who was God in human flesh.  The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is all-sufficient, for it is His blood and righteousness.  We need His saving strength or we will fail utterly.
      There is no merit so precious and so valuable then the merit of Christ alone.  Think of the beauty of this world and it does not compare with His matchless merit.  Think of the so-called "lovely righteousness" of people and it does not compare with His treasure-filled righteousness.  Think of the most beautiful flowers and it does not cast a glimpse of His awesome merit.  Think of the most righteous do-gooders and it does not stand up to the righteousness of Christ.  Yes, indeed no merit is greater then the merit of Christ alone.  Let us ponder this awesome truth this day to capture the essence of the Gospel.  Amen.