He seems to grow more like Satan!

He seems to grow more like Satan!

(James Smith, "The Pastor's Morning Visit")

"Their righteousness is from Me!" Isaiah 54:17

The longer the Christian lives—the more he learns. And the more the Spirit teaches him—the more he loathes himself and renounces his own righteousness as filthy rags. 

He hoped sensibly . . .
  to grow in holiness,
  to feel his corruptions subdued, and
  to enjoy the presence of his God without interruption.

But instead of this:
  he seems to grow more like Satan, 
  his corruption appears to get stronger and stronger, and 
  the depravity of his nature appears more and more dreadful! 

He thinks himself to be a monster of iniquity, and wonders how God can possibly love him, or show any favor unto him. 

Yet, this heart-felt experience . . .
  endears God's free grace,
  renders Christ unspeakably precious,
  and the gift of righteousness invaluable!

How can such a man be just before God? Where is his righteousness to come from? Jehovah answers, "His righteousness is from Me!" 
Jesus wrought it; 
the Father imputes it to us; 
the gospel reveals it; and
faith receives it, puts it on, and pleads it before God.

Precious Jesus! in You alone, I have righteousness and strength!