No Hustle Here

I’m a native New Yorker.

I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before, because I have met no one from the five boroughs who doesn’t make it known (wink). Certainly, there’s a pride in being a native New Yorker. Actually, there’s a lot that comes with being a native New Yorker!

Of course, we’re known for being constantly on the go as “the city that never sleeps.” We’re known for welcoming people from around the world to work hard and do what it takes to become successful in the “concrete jungle.”

Truly, the city is a feast for the senses: horns blowing, brick and concrete as far as the eye can see, the pungent aroma of international delicacies and body odors, access to whatever you have a “taste for”, and that palpable energy.

There’s no limit to what you can see and experience. There’s absolutely NO PLACE like it and I’m so glad I grew up there (stop rolling your eyes husband)! Anyway, I digress…

Don’t know if it’s changed much these days, but growing up, I was never far from someone with a hustle. Anywhere I went, I’d find someone selling something. And I mean anywhere other than a store.

Even on the subway, folks would walk through the train cars piddling anything from food to clothing to housewares to performances. Anything to make some money. They’d have a whole spiel to convince you to buy it, typically for cheap.

But you learned quickly that you don’t get something for nothing (that phrase had to be coined in NYC).

Now, there’s the honest hustle of hard work. Many, like my immigrant parents, can attest to that. Then there’s the hustle that’s all swindle.

And while we’re also known for our painful honesty, there are those New Yorkers who hard sell you on something you later realize is a whole lot of nothing. So, growing up there, you learn to recognize hustlers trying to scam you just to make it in that concrete jungle.

Then here comes Jesus…with His unbelievable offer. A presentation making the case for your failed righteousness (attempts to get yourself together). And He’s got a deal for you.

On the cross, He paid the price you owed with His life because blood has to be spilled for the forgiveness of sin (see Hebrews 9:22, NLT). You couldn’t pay Jesus back for the blood he shed even if you tried. There’s no amount of money you can pay Him to cover your debt He paid.

Not only that, Jesus did it before you knew you needed it! He died in your place and mine while we walked around thinking we were pretty decent people—oblivious to our offense. Yet once you accept His priceless gift, there’s nothing else you have to add to His work, only believe.

“But wait, there’s more!” (The famous phrase that should send you running in the other direction, but no, He really has more.)

“I not only paid for your sin so that you are forgiven all forever (see Ephesians 1:7), I’m giving you my righteousness also (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).”

“Cool Jesus, but why do I need your righteousness?”

“Well, because your righteousness is garbage. No better than a used sanitary napkin (see Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:23). You can stick with your righteousness if you want to, but it can’t help you. In fact, it’s only exposing how unclean you are. A state causing your to suffer now and forever. So, how about I take it off your hands and give you my righteousness? A robe clothing you in my perfection. So, you remind DADDY God of Me every time He looks at you.”

And guess what? To a New Yorker, that sounds like the biggest hustle ever. But can I tell you, it’s no hustle, it’s the God’s honest truth. I’m a witness!  #Jesusismyrighteousness

*I wrote this post the morning before the explosion in the Chelsea area of NYC. Grateful for the safety of family and friends while praying for all those affected. I♥NY

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