RIGTHOUSNESS IS THE KEY TO THE GOSPEL
RIGHTEOUSNESS: THE KEY TO THE GOSPEL
KEY THEME SCRIPTURES: How do we get right with God?
(Mt.6:33) Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and everything else will be added unto you. Here a direct link can be seen between His Righteousness and the Kingdom.
(Rom.1:17) For in the gospel a Righteousness from God is revealed, a Righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The Righteous will live by faith.” True Righteousness is a key theme of the gospels; a righteousness based on faith not works.
(Phil.3:9) Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. Here the link between Christ centered Righteousness by faith and Kingdom power is seen – resurrection power!
THE GOOD NEWS
The good news and revelation of the New Testament is that we are saved by God’s grace through faith (Eph2:8). Salvation is a free gift from a loving God to an undeserving, sinful people.This salvation is activated purely by faith. All are saved if they will receive the gift. God has reconciled us to himself through Jesus (Rom.5:10). We are now in right standing with our heavenly father, we are righteous. Our Righteousness is from Jesus only. It is not a self-righteousness that comes through our own good works or sinlessness.
A CLASH IN THE GOSPEL?
Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Some of the gospel teachings seem to oppose this good news of grace and seem to still be preaching The Law. Parts of the gospels seems to imply that salvation and true righteousness is actually conditional on us continuing to do good works. There appears to be a dichotomy between some of parts the gospels and the teachings of grace revealed to the Apostle Paul by the Risen Lord Jesus.
STARTING OFF IN GRACE
Gal 3:2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Many are saved by grace, only to find that they end up living a driven, legalistic Christian life. Legalism denies the effectiveness of the work of the cross. It leads to spiritual dryness, death, sin and control. The truth is that not only are we saved by grace but we are called to live in Jesus’grace daily.
A CORRECTION IN READING THE SCRIPTURES
The Lord wants to address this issue and bring about a correction. Legalism often comes about due to the wrong interpretation and application of certain scriptures. It is vitally important therefore, that we re-examine the gospels and other New Testament scriptures that appear to promote legalism and conditional acceptance by God. To deal with this problem we have to understand: 1) the primary purpose of these gospel teachings? 2) in what context were they preached? 3) what do they actually mean for us today?
1) BEING CHRIST CENTERED
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. We must recognize the value of all scripture and understand how to use it correctly. Being Christ centered is crucial and the very core of our faith (Lk.24:27). They and we are all about Jesus! (Col.1:16) The bible is a progressive unfolding revelation of God’s goodness and love for mankind. This love is centered on Jesus Christ (Jn.5:39) and His Kingdom. Firstly we use scripture to interpret scripture. The principle and significance of first mention is helpful. Progression; the gospels interpret and clarify the Old Testament and the Epistles interpret and clarify the gospels.
2) A NEW COVENANT
Rom 6:14. You are not under law, but under grace We affirm that as Christians we are not under the Old Testament Covenants as they are all fulfilled in Christ (Mt.5:17). We live under a New Covenant with God. This new agreement is based on the grace and faith released through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This new covenant can only be understood and lived out by the Holy Spirit within us (Jn 14:26 Ro.18:13 Jn3:3).We value, honor and seek to understand Old Testament scriptures.They are the very Word of God revealing mankind’s sinful, independent and self-righteousness nature.They are pointing us toward a Christ centered salvation (Jn.5:39).However it is the New Testament that is our primary scriptural authority.
3) THE CONTEXT
We must consider scriptures in the context in which they were written. What was the spiritual and life issues that the Holy Spirit was addressing at the specific time? How are these revealed truths are to be applied in our own lives, times and context. To take any scripture out of context leads to abuse and deception and definitely can create confusion. Many today misuse scripture in this way to reinforce wrong doctrines or to over emphasize certain pet doctrines. A scripture taken out of context is a con!
THE LETTERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
Many erroneously believe that the Christian life must be first and foremost be founded on the four gospels. The reasoning being that these were the actual teachings of Jesus himself – thus red letter Bibles. This reasoning denies the validity of the Word revealed by the same Spirit of Jesus to the Prophets and Apostles. This over emphasis on the gospels at the expense of the epistles can lead to confusion and an under valuing of the later letters of the Apostles. In fact these New Testament letters are a continuation of the gospels.They add to the progressive revelation of the full Gospel of Jesus Christ, His Kingdom and His grace. They are the very means by which the gospel teachings are to be interpreted and clarified. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that he received his teachings by direct revelation (Gal.1:12). These came direct from the risen, glorified, Jesus and not from himself or any other person. The teachings found in letters such as Romans, clarify and reveal foundational Christian truths. Some of these are only hinted at in the gospels e.g. the Righteousness of Christ, justification by faith, grace, "sonship", Christ in us, etc. It would be extremely difficult to derive these key foundational Christian doctrines by just studying the gospels. In fact if one was only to study the gospels one could well end up concluding that salvation may primarily come about and be maintained by good works and law keeping! An over emphasis on the gospels at the expense of the epistles can lead to legalism. It is the epistles that bring us into the full revelation of grace and freedom that is ours in Christ. So what then is the purpose of the gospels?
THE KEY ISSUE IN THE GOSPELS
There are obviously many truths and themes in the gospels. E.g. Jesus as the way, truth and life, the revelation of God as a Father, the need to be born again, the coming of the Holy Spirit etc. However, the two primary significant themes have often been understated. 1) True Righteousness 2) The Spiritual Kingdom of God 3) The relationship between the two. These need to be emphasized if we are to correctly interpret and apply the gospel’s teachings today.This will also help us avoid the trap of self-righteousness that denies God’s grace. Throughout the gospels Jesus sought to rectify Israel’s misconceptions concerning key spiritual truths. Mat 15:24 Jesus answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” These misconceptions were also held by his own disciples. They were Jewish, these wrong beliefs were part of every Jews religious belief and culture. But it is importance of these very same truths also need to be recognized in our own lives:
1) TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS
This is a key issue for mankind! This is the work and purpose of the cross. Without true righteousness there is no salvation. True Righteousness is : i) Our right standing with God that comes by grace. ii) Being in a right and loving relationship with God. iii) The condition of man that is acceptable to God. iv) A state approved by God. v) An inner spiritual state of holiness. vi) We are justified through the cross. vii) We are without sin in God’s eyes. viii) A state where our sins are no longer recorded or remembered. ix) Freedom from condemnation and judgement. The righteousness practiced by the Jews of Israel and all religions is an external religious self- righteousness based on good works and law keeping. This form of righteousness actually never made Israel or anyone right with God (Ro.3:10). It fell far short of true Godly Righteousness (Mt.5:20). Religious self-righteousness is in fact totally foreign and opposed to true Godly Righteousness which can only come through faith in Jesus Christ. Israel had become proud, boastful and self-righteous; dependent on self-effort and a legalistic religious system, instead of on God.
2) GOD’S KINGDOM
(Act 1:6) “Lord are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus teaching and preaching was (Mt.4:23) the good news about the kingdom. The Jews and even Jesus’ own disciples, thought that the Messiah/ Christ had come to establish a physical kingdom. They wanted to see Israel glorified among the nations of the earth. (Jn.12:13) The Jews thought the new “King of Israel” had come. They turned on Jesus very quickly when they discovered that this was not his plan! Even after Jesus’ resurrection, the disciple still did not understand Jesus’ teachings on His kingdom. (Acts 1:8) It’s significant that Jesus’ reply was to point them to the coming Holy Spirit, for the Kingdom is Spirit! They did not understand that the Kingdom of God is a spiritual (Lk.17:21) inner kingdom based on true Righteousness. The Jews and even Jesus’ own disciples mistakenly sought a kingdom and a righteousness that was physical and external. These two themes are critically important for us to understand. Jesus proclaimed a direct link between the Kingdom of God (Mt.6:33), true Righteousness and blessings.
THE CONTEXT OF THE GOSPELS: JEWISH SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Rom 10:3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. To correctly understand the gospels we have to understand the context in which Jesus’ gospel teachings took place. Jesus preached to Jews. All His disciples and the large majority of His listeners were Jews. They were living under the religious laws of Moses. They were waiting for the Messiah to re-establish Israel’s kingdom. (Mt.15:24) Jesus boldly proclaimed “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel!” His first concern was dealing with God’s chosen people who had been chosen to take the good news of God to the world. However the Jews had totally missed God’s message and Spirit. (Gen 15:6) Through Abraham Israel had been given the message of a good and loving God. Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation and all those who live by faith. Abraham also had a revelation of true Righteousness that came through faith. But Israel rejected Righteousness by faith and instead sought a religious self-righteousness based on their goodness and self-effort. Thus the law was given to expose their sinful self-righteousness. (Jer 23;11) (Rom 11;26) They in fact had become Godless. Israel became proud and boastful. They did not want an intimate relationship with a loving God. They chose by their actions and hardness of heart to seek righteousness through law keeping. They rejected the faith of Abraham. God gave Israel the law and His conditional blessing based on them keeping every single one of the 613 laws. Read Deut 28 and you will see the impossibility and horror of this. They honestly thought they were good enough to do it! It was into this context that Jesus came. This very issue He addressed through the gospels. He came to reveal to Israel that the righteousness they thought they had attained through the law. They actually fell completely short of God’s holy standard…..what a shock this was to them! The Jews knew that the gentiles were Godless and unrighteous but never suspected they were!
(Rom.3:9) Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
JESUS EXPOSES THE SIN OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS
Jesus taught and acted with the specific purpose of challenging the legalistic unbelieving hearts of the Jews. Including his own Jewish disciples. Many disciples followed Jesus as a Rabbi and some as Israel’s Messiah. They claimed to believe His message but in fact many disciples totally misunderstood. Many eventually turn away from Him. (Joh 6:66) From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. Including Peter in Matt. 26:34. Jesus confronted head on the issue of the Jewish Kingdom and the legalistic, self righteousness taught by the Jewish religious leaders. He condemned this system and it’s leaders outright. We find Jesus condemning the religious Pharisees in the strongest possible terms (Mat.23:1-33). But he showed mercy and grace to those struggling with moral sin (Jn.8:11). He did not go about exposing the hypocrisy of legalism as we would expect. He in fact used law to destroy the law for those in Christ. To those practicing and preaching law and self righteousness He preached a form of Hyper-law. E.g. (Mat 5:28) I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart....If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. Yes, this may seem like simple hyperbole but to the Pharisees who regularly stoned people it was something else! This was to expose the shortcomings of their law keeping and the righteousness they thought it gave them. On earth, Jesus preached law and conditional salvation. Examples of condition that expose the short coming or the self-righteous religious life and which can themselves lead to legalism are: Matt.5:20, 6:14, 7:21, 10:33, 18:35, 19:21, 25:46. etc. Jesus attempted to drive the law keepers to a place where they would eventually understand that they just could not do it by themselves. He was endevoring to reveal that it was the Jew’s pride and self-righteousness that was the problem and this sin was the key issue for God. (Mat 5:48) Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. See what I mean, Who can do such a thing? (Mark 10:19-27) In this story the self-righteous rich man missed this point while the disciples understood to a degree (not fully). When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”.
THE CALL TO REPENT
“Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is near (Mt4:17)” Repentance and Righteousness are two keys to the Kingdom! Jesus’ gospel teaching were primarily a call to the Jews and His own Jewish disciples, an ultimately to all mankind to repent. The Greek work "to repent" actually means a change of mind that leads to a change of living, especially in regard to sin and sinful beliefs. Jesus was calling Israel to change their way of thinking and living – a call to acknowledge their erroneous world and religious view. The teachings of the gospels are not just a call to sinners. It’s a call to good religious people to repent from a self-centered, self-righteousness, legalistic, kingdom view. A call to turn back to a complete dependence on, and belief in, a good and loving God. The repentance Jesus was looking for was not repentance from moral sin as he knew that the greater and foundational sin of unbelief was the root of all moral sin. God hates all sin but there is primary foundational sin in which all moral sin is rooted. This root sin of pride, is the sin of mankind’s independent, self- righteousness and unbelief in a good and loving God. At its core all moral sin is a manifestation of unbelief and pride! Unbelief and self-righteousness is the sin that the Holy Spirit has come to expose. (Joh 16:8) When the Holy Spirit comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me…. The Pharisees and the average Jew of Jesus’ time generally lead morally up right lives. Because of the strict imposition in society of the laws of Moses.But this was exactly the problem, they had become self righteous, moralistic and judgmental of others. They trusted in their own goodness and in their own efforts of law keeping instead of in God. This is a position that is most offensive to God. This is the great sin of mankind, superbly manifest in the Phariseeical Jewish religious society of Jesus’ day. Islam probably most typifies this attitude today. Thus the importance of us understanding these issues if we are to penetrate Islam and reap the harvest among Muslims and other religious peoples. Jesus understood and proclaimed that it was the inner heart condition that God was concerned with. His focus was not the apparent external keeping of the law or morality.
THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES WERE BOTH JEWISH AND GENTILE
This issue of Jewish legalism was not just something that Jesus addressed in Israel through His gospel teachings. It was in fact one of the main dividing issues every early church, whether in Jerusalem or Rome. Most of the early churches consisted of an almost equal mix of gentile converts from paganism and Jewish converts from Judaism. Judaism was widely spread and highly popular throughout the Roman empire. Most towns had a Jewish synagogue. This is evident when reading Acts. Paul always went first to the synagogue when entering a Roman Empire town. Paul had to repeatedly address the attempts of Jewish Christian believers to impose law in the new churches – thus his letters. Even the Apostles James and Peter promoted this heresy . The Judaizers that Paul so fervently condemned were not Jews sent by the Jewish Pharisees, they were Christians sent by James! They were Jewish converts to Christianity that had misunderstood the gospel of grace and were trying to add law to grace. Despite calling and thinking of themselves as Christians they in fact did not truly believe the true gospel (Gal.1:6-7) that the work of the cross was enough to make them right with God. In his letters Paul uses similar tactic to Jesus by pointing out their hypocrisy and their moral sin that is stirred up by law keeping.
NEW LEGALISM OPPOSES GRACE
We all have a natural fallen tendency to become legalistic. The modern church is still full of legalism. Legalism leads to an obsession with external moral sin instead of dealing with the issues of the heart. Don’t get me wrong when I say this. Let me be clear that moral sin is terrible and destructive and has no merit in any way. But Jesus has dealt with it on the cross and we are no longer slaves to sin. Focusing on it gives it strength and power that it is not due. In the New Testament believers are never addressed as sinners but always as saints; holy ones. When we sin we simply take it to the cross. Legalists become sin focused instead of Christ focused. Living by sets of rules, regulations, methods and techniques produce a dry, unloving and controlling environment. There is very little dependence on a real relationship with God. Even though grace may be taught, often the under laying message is that it is believers moral actions, adherence to rules, regulations and systems and attendance at meetings that make them righteous and acceptable to God and the church. Under such teachings we all fall short and tend to live in condemnation and passivity because law emphasis our short comings. The focus for many has become a form of self-righteous living rather than living in the Righteousness of Christ imparted to us by faith and lived out by the Holy Spirit. It’s all an issue of what comes first, where is our focus? Us and our effort, or Jesus, the cross? His Righteousness and grace at work in us leading us to true good works and holiness?
TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND RESURRECTION POWER
There is a link between our revelation, understanding and acceptance of the Righteousness of Christ and moving in His resurrection power. Phil.3:9-10 2Cor.6:7. We are called to move in the power of the gospel 1Cor 2;4 that comes by grace and the Spirit. Legalism leads to intellectualism and a quenching of the Spirit. Accepting the complete, full work of the cross and the Righteousness that comes there from is the grace leads to freedom and power of the Spirit. (Heb.10:29) How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?
WE CAN REST IN THE WORK OF THE CROSS
Godly living and actions come out of the inner condition of the heart Mt.15:18. This right heart condition is founded on a revelation of grace Jn.1;17 Rom.4:16 and that we are the Righteousness of Christ 2Co.2;21. It’s not because of what we do but because of who we are; a part of Christ. (Rom 4:5) However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. Jesus is in us, we are dead, He is alive Gal 2:20. Our sins are no longer taken into account Rom 4:8. Our righteousness is HIS righteousness. Our life is His life. We have glorious freedom from condemnation Rom 8:1-16. The cross has done all we need to make us right with God. It is from this position that agape love, Godly good works and right living is manifest through our lives.
CONCLUSION
We live under grace not law – this has to have a daily reality for us. Any New Testament scripture that seems to imply that our salvation and acceptance by God is based on our good works or law keeping we must remember to whom these scriptures were actually addressed; to Jews living by law not to believers living by grace.
ABRAHAM'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
ABRAHAM’S RIGHTEOUSNESS
ABRAHAM WAS RIGHT WITH GOD = RIGHTEOUS (BUT JOB TRUSTED IN HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS)
The history and life of Abraham is of great significance to all Believers. He was truly Righteous, i.e. in right standing with God. If we grasp the truths taught by Abraham’s life we will be blessed by coming into a deeper understanding of what God considers to be true Righteousness and how this state comes about. An understanding of Righteousness is critical to your maturity as a Believer Heb_5:13 Without true Righteousness we cannot receive the empowering and blessings God has for us. In fact without true Righteousness we will battle in our walk as a Christian.
ABRAHAM IS OUR SPIRITUAL FATHER
Abraham was the founding father of a great a spiritual nation i.e. All Believers who are Righteous and saved through faith Gal_3:7. This includes both Jews and Gentiles who choose salvation by grace through faithEph_2:8. The New Covenant is clear that all those who are “Born Again” are spiritual children of Abraham. The key to his life is that Abraham’s great blessings, promises and Righteousness were received only through faith Rom_4:1-3. He was the first example of the man of faith, who was properly Righteous in God’s eyes. It is vitally important for us as Believers to look carefully at Abraham: what he believed, how God responded to him and how he was blessed? This will help us to understand the way God relates, saves and blesses those who are Righteous by faith.
RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE KEY ISSUE OF LIFE AND OUR FAITH Gen_3:1-24 The Serpent said: “For God knows that when you eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Righteousness by dead works or by faith??? Without true Godly Righteousness and perfection no one can ever come to God, no one can ever be saved. The Scriptures deal with this core issue of human existence, “What is it that makes us right with God and leads to godly immortality?” At the fall, Adam and Eve choose to seek perfection, righteousness and immortality independently from God by doing good and avoiding evil. They were deceived into believing that they could become as gods through good and bad (works). However, the root message of Abraham life is that “Righteousness” (True Right Standing with God) is a gift from God that is by Grace through Faith” Abraham knew that true Righteousness could not be obtained through dead works based on knowing and doing what is either good or bad.
ABRAHAM WAS RIGHT WITH GOD Rom_4:3-9 What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” ….5 the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. The Righteousness that is acceptable to God and has nothing to do with our good or bad works, our sinlessness or sinfulness. It is based solely on our trust and belief in God’s goodness and plan of salvation (which is Jesus). This is the critical truth that all Christian life must be founded upon if we are to experience a right relationship with our heavenly Father. All the promises of God only come about based on God given Righteousness that is received purely by faith. Abraham understood this truth, he was tight with God and he was blessed in every way. Abraham trusted God and God revealed himself to Abraham. Abraham was given the revelation that salvation is through the gift of Righteousness that comes only through Grace by the faith of Jesus. Abraham did not trust in his own righteousness, good works or sinlessness as he understood they could never make him perfect enough for God. Abraham trusted solely in God’s goodness and God’s free gift of the Saviour’s Righteousness that was imputed to him purely by faith. So how did this revelation come about? What was it that caused Abraham to be so radically different. There was a foundational event in Abraham’s life that lead him into truth, completely changed him and through him, changed history…..
ABRAHAM MET THE KING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS & PEACE, FACE TO FACE! Gen_14:17-23 Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. Abraham did not just hear about God but encountered Him face to face. Abraham met with a King called Melchizedek…. well so what, you may ask! Although not a lot is said about this encounter it is one of the most significant events in the Old Testament. Many seemingly small and insignificant events recorded in scriptures prove to be amazingly significant spiritually. This brief but amazing encounter was the foundation of Abraham’s faith and Righteousness. In Genesis there is no historical explanation of who this King Melchizedek was, where he came from or where he actually ruled. However we know that the Old Testament always has shadows or types of Christ Joh_5:39. The Old Testament is actually all about Jesus Luk_24:27 and God’s plan of salvation through Him – if we are prepared to look carefully with spiritual eyes we can see this. As the saying goes, “The Old Testament is Christ concealed, the New Testament is Christ revealed”. This is the way to read all scriptures- always look for Jesus and the cross hidden in symbols and types. We can see these truths about Jesus in Abraham’s encounter with a King who was unknown and only mentioned once in the Old Testament. Through this encounter the gospel of salvation by Grace, was revealed to Abraham. The Book of Hebrews sheds light on this most important encounter….
ABRAHAM’S ENCOUNTER WAS WITH JESUS Heb_7:1-3 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. 4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! This Melchizedek was not just a type of Jesus but he was Jesus himself. This may be hard for us to get our heads around, but this Priest/ Messiah King was Jesus in everything but name. This event is the clearest and boldest revelation of the physical Christ found anywhere in the Old Testament. This physical King, Melchizedek, had no beginning or end (Heb.7:3)…. only Jesus exists in this way, no other. Only Jesus can be called “The King of Righteousness” and “The King of Peace”, no other can take this role or title. This Melchizedek was a Priest of the most High God, he was not an earthly priest, he was the heavenly priest, Jesus, described in the Book of Hebrews. This was an pre-incarnation appearance of Jesus, the High Priest of the heavenly Jerusalem Heb_12:22 . Jesus, who is not constrained by time, miraculously appeared to Abraham and shared the gospel with him. For Abraham, his personal encounter with his saviour was a “today, now event” Abraham had a personal salvation encounter with Christ, even though Christ never revealed His name. Abraham’s faith was in God’s goodness and love that was still to be fully revealed in a future event; The cross of Jesus. Similarly, our faith is in God’s goodness and love that has been revealed in a past event, The same cross of Jesus! We look backwards to the cross of Jesus and have faith. Abraham looked forward to the cross and had faith.
ABRAHAM HAD INTIMATE COMMUNION WITH HIS SAVIOUR Gen_14:17-23 Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (or in plain language: The King of Righteousness and Peace shared bread and wine with Abraham). So how did Jesus reveal the plan of salvation to Abraham? It was through communion!Luk_22:17-20. Although Jesus did not reveal His name to Abraham, He did reveal God’s plan of salvation. The gospel was announced to Abraham before the cross Gal_3:8. Communion is an extremely important and spiritually significant act, an act which most of us under estimate 1Co_11:23-29 Jesus as Melchizedek, revealed God’s salvation plan to Abraham by having communion with Abraham right there on the road. He took bread and wine and shared it with Abraham - “This is My Body and this is My Blood. The New Covenant will come. Have faith Abraham!” Abraham was given spiritual revelation of salvation as he ate the bread and wine…. his spiritual eyes were opened. Jesus also showed Abraham the fruit of pure Grace by blessing him. Because of the grace shown and the gospel revealed to him, Abraham freely submitted to this King (Jesus). In those days a king would demand a tenth from his subjects as a sign of their submission. Jesus demanded nothing from Abraham but Abraham willingly and submitted to the King. That’s why Abraham was saved, because he had saw God face to face, heard the good news and this resulted in believing faith. By the way, the Emmaus Road experience of some of the disciples was similar to Abraham’s, Jesus revealed Himself to them in the breaking of the bread. Luk_24:30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
WE ARE RIGHTEOUS LIKE ABRAHAM Rom_3:21-24 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. You ARE Righteous! The importance of Abraham’s life to us who believe, is that we are Righteous the same way he was. The Righteousness of a Believer is by faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross. This is the only Righteousness that is acceptable to God. We do not obtain or maintain Righteousness by doing good works and avoiding bad or evil. We reject way of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil Gen_2:17. We repent (i.e. change our minds) concerning Adam’s decision of using the knowledge of good and bad to obtain heavenly perfection and godliness Gen_3:5. We do good works because we are saved and loved by God not to get saved nor to maintain God’s love. When we understand we are Righteous we are able to receive from God, we feel worthy to be blessed. When Satan tells us we are no good and separated from God, our (Jesus) Righteousness tells us otherwise…. it’s good news.
THE ERROR SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS Rom_9:31-33 Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. One of the errors revealed throughout the Old testament is that many of God’s people thought that being good and avoid ding sin made them right with God. They believed that right standing with God could come about through their SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS. This self righteousness was based on the fallen notion that God accepts us based on our good and bad deeds – called dead works in the New Testament. But God hates self righteousness because the spirit behind it is one of pride and independence from God. God will allow the righteousness of the SELF Righteous to be tested and to be proven to be short of His perfection. God’s longing is for all to simply call on him for Righteousness that is given through His son Jesus. It is crucial for us to be established in true righteousness if we are to experience the fullness of the kingdom and God’s blessings. The mark of a mature believer is that they understand these truth on righteousness!Heb_5:12-13 If you are self righteous you are headed for trouble for God hates self righteousness…..
JOB AND THE SUFFERING OF THE SELF RIGHTEOUS Job_32:-2 These three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. In contrast to Abraham who was justified (just as if he never sinned) and righteous by faith, the Scriptures tell of another man of God who relied on his Self Righteousness. This man was called Job. His name means hated! Hum I wonder why? We all know Job was a upright and perfect man Job_1:1 who suffered greatly because God invited Satan to test him Job_1:8 … yeah I know it’s scary,…this is not good news when interpreted in the traditional way! However if we start to look at Job in a correct way we will see that it is actually good news, because the issue of Job is not that God gives and takes away, willy nilly, but that God hates self righteousness. Job is the exact opposite of Abraham. Job had heard about God but never saw Him, Job’s relationship with God was distant, fear based and works driven. Job suffered because he trusted in his own righteousness, Abraham received one blessing after the other because he trusted in a righteousness that was by faith.
Be blessed.
garry@gracelovetruth.com +27 845562786
NOT GUILTY - JUSTIFIED!
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Many believers still relate to God as Judge instead of to God as Love - or they mix the two. This leads them to feel that they constantly have to come before God and justify themselves - proclaiming their guilt or innocence with regard to each and every sin. Brothers and sisters, the Holy Spirit proclaims that these days are over: Jesus has justified us (i) by faith, once and for all. Now it is just as if we never sinned (ii).
We all know that we are guilty of sinning (iii), the Law tell us so, non of us can say we don't sin. But the good news is that Jesus paid a costly price for our sins on the Cross (iv). All who identify with His Cross, all who see their sin on Him (v), all who believe in Him and His finished work on the Cross.... "NOT GUILTY, RIGHTEOUS! "
Yes, we were guilty, but no longer. Sin is "No Problem" for those in Christ Jesus, so lets stop making it the main issue of our lives instead of Jesus and His Kingdom. This is offence of the cross; God's free gift of grace, forgiveness and pardon has set us free from the condemnation and punishment due for ALL our sin, past, present and future. We cannot be condemned (vi) any longer as we are no longer guilty in God's eyes.
But what about in our own eyes? This is the issue that so many of us struggle with and this is the issue that causes so many Christians to be ineffective, lukewarm and powerless. They are more conscious of their old sin state rather than their new righteousness in Christ.
Some may say that God's grace and God's forgiveness is a licence to sin. We all know that's not true. God hates sin and never empowers us to sin. In fact the truths of God's grace and forgiveness are the very power that enables us to say no to sin (vii). Now when we slip up and sin we have confidence that we are forgiven (viii). Let's face it, non of us who are truly "born again" want to sin any longer, our heart have been changed.
Sadly our fallen thinking keeps on telling us that the Cross wasn't enough and that we still have to "do" rather than "abide" in Christ. Fallen thinking says that we must still focus on keep keeping the Law, making ourselves "right", paying a price, proving ourselves worthy etc. But God says we can't do it ourselves (ix). God knows our human weakness, He says that we all fall short and need Jesus' grace (x) - everyday, like fresh Manna from heaven - nothing else works for sin and no other sacrifice is sufficient, except Jesus.
Lets be clear, sin is horrible, sin is damaging and sin is addictive. But the solution for sin is not our self effort in trying to keep the Law or punishing ourselves - the solution is Jesus' Cross and living daily in the grace it brings; intimacy with the God of Love.
Why do I keep on harping on about this "sin" issue? Well, its because so many believers are still obsessed with their sins. They spend more time focusing on their sin than they do on Jesus. It's almost as if they don't believe in what Jesus did for them on the Cross. This robs them and the Church of joy, peace and health and also discredits the Cross in the eyes of the unbelievers.
Lets fix our eyes on Jesus and His righteousness and believe that as we live in the Jesus consciousness of grace sin is "No Problem"..... this is what breaks addictions, this breaks sinful habits and this causes us to live righteously. What we fix our eyes upon is what we live out.
"Lord renew our thinking and minds so we can declare with our mouths, sin is "No Problem" for us in Christ..... because as we believe so we become".
We are either slaves to Sin (xi) or we are not. As for me I believe what God says and I declare I'm free from Sin and now a slave to The Righteousness of Christ (xii). That's the way I see myself because the Scriptures and Spirit within me agree. The root of my right living is no longer my self effort but Jesus righteousness living in me. He flow out of me as a life giving stream of water. Oh yeah! Good Jesus news again!! I'm making myself happy just by writing these wonderful truths - join with me in this joy.
Be blessed, you are righteous and God's beloved. Enjoy.
Lets move in the power and conviction of the Holy Spirit and share the good news of Jesus grace. Sometimes just a "share click" is all that's needed to change a friends life. That's how easy it is to share Jesus today.
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Scriptures: (i) Rom 3:22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Rom 3:24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (ii) Heb 10:17 "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." (iii) Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (iv) 1Co 6:20 you were bought at a price. (v) 1Pe.2:24 "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed." (vi) Rom 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (vii) Tit 2:12 Grace teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (viii) 1Jn 2:12 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 1Jn 2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (ix) Rom 3:20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. (x) Eph 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (xi) Rom.6:6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— (xii) Rom 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Our Righteousness: YouTube Link
When we understand that Jesus has given us His righteousness and taken our sin, then we have confidence that we are God's beloved and can freely and confidently receive what the cross has earned for us. Our identity is "God's Righteous Children" who can never again be disqualified from the power and blessings of Jesus' Kingdom. Receiving and believing these simple truths will revolutionize you life. Our Righteousness in Christ: 15 minutes:
The above video follows on from
The Gospel of Jesus’ Grace: 12 minutes:
GOD SEE YOU SINLESS IN CHRIST
If you are "Born Again" by the Spirit of God, you are the righteousness of God (2Co.5:21) and as such you are qualified for blessing upon blessing and the power of the Holy Spirit to reign and rule from a place of rest and peace.
This issue of Jesus righteousness given to us by grace, is core to living in the abundant life of Christ.
Lots of people in the Old Testament tried to be #righteous by what they did & they always failed (Rom.9:30). But amazingly both David & #Abraham (Gen.15:16) knew that their true righteousness depended on them believing and trusting in a good God.
David understood and received Gods #grace and after God’s forgiveness of David’s adultery & murder David saw himself as righteous – just as if his sin never existed (2Sam22:12). Wow! I guess this is the offence of the cross and #Jesusgrace. Even though he was under the Covenant of the Law (Gal.2:21) David prophetically foresaw God's grace, as did Abraham, and took hold of it. God considered David (Acts 13:22) to be a man after his own heart!
Likewise today (Rom. 3:21) Jesus has made us righteous and sinless in Gods eyes. I guess that's why grace makes a lot of religious people really angry, as its seen as being unfair - God's ways are simply not our ways, thank God! Receive and believe in your right standing with a loving and mighty God, because of Jesus. God considers you to be a man /woman after Hid own heart. This is the good news of the gospel and it will bear mighty good fruit as you allow the truth to renew your thinking. 1Jn. 4:17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. Be blessed. www.gracelovetruth.com