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Righteousness and Justification

Jim_Alaska

Entry posted by Jim_Alaska

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   WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT:

                                                                                       Righteousness and Justification

                                                                                                               

 

 

Mat.5:1-6-10-12.

 

 

 

Introduction:

            Jesus had some very specific things to say about righteousness and justification.  His teaching has, for the most part, been perverted and twisted until it means something quite different from what the early church understood it to mean. The nature of this perversion is so degenerate that it has changed the meaning of these words so that they mean exactly the opposite of what Jesus taught. The result is that most of the religious world believes a lie and perpetuates this lie simply because it has been repeated as truth for so many years. These same people castigate those who would hold to the purity of God’s word; relegating them to the ranks of some obscure sect or calling them religious fanatics.

            We can be thankful that God’s word does not change, the religious world has had to invent new versions of the Bible to prove their blasphemous lies, because the Bible does not support their teaching, in fact, it condemns it.

            In order to have a proper study on this subject, it must be determined what the word “righteousness” means with regard to the righteousness that Jesus spoke of for the remission of sin. Three references will serve to define the word: Rom.5:21.   Phil.3:9.  Tit.3:5.

            Jesus pointed to John the Baptist as he that came in the way of righteousness, some accepted that way and others did not, thus representing the two different sides of this argument. Mat.21:28-32.

Now if John came in the way of righteousness, then we must ask, what was John’s message? Mat.3:1-2.           

            Salvation presupposes the idea that I am unable to help myself, this is called depravity. Jer.17:9.  If I think that because my sin is gone, then I am righteous, what about tomorrow? If I sin tomorrow do I lose my righteousness? This is where the idea comes from that you can lose your salvation. Rom.10:3.

            Where then does this righteousness come from? Does it come about because of the good things that I do? This is the adult version of--- “If you be a good little boy you will go to heaven.” It is also the mistake of the Pharisees who looked within themselves for their righteousness and despised those who did not act righteous as they did.

Rom.5:21 Puts righteousness in the proper perspective.

Rom.4:21-25. Shows that the righteousness that the Christian has is not his own, it is the righteousness of Christ, and I, by repentance and faith become adopted into the family of God with all of the benefits of being a son.

1Cor.1:30. There will come a day when the Christian will not have sin to deal with, but until that day I have the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is this that makes me acceptable to God the Father, the scripture calls being acceptable, “justification”.           

Let’s look at what Jesus said about those who trust in their own righteousness, as compared with those who realize that they have no righteousness. Lk.18:9-14.
 

            Why is it so important to have the proper righteousness and justification? The answer is simplicity itself: If, in the judgment day, I have only the righteousness that I have got by my good deeds it will not be accepted by God! Why? Because I have not accepted the righteousness that he provided, this is the same as saying that Christ’s death is not the only way to get to heaven. I have no need of Christ’s blood, I can do it myself. Gal.2:16. 

Heb.10:29.  In that day there will come a separation, the angels will sever the just from the wicked and man will have no say in the matter. Mat.13:47-49.  This is why it is so important to get it right the first time, now you have a choice, there are no second chances in the grave, and we are not reincarnated until we get it right as some teach. Ecc.9:10

Psa.31:17    Psa.6:5.  In short Jesus said that only the just or righteous will enter the kingdom of heaven. See how Jesus puts it in Mat.25:31-34. 

            Mat.5:6. shows that becoming righteous by the grace of God is no accident. The words, “hungering and thirsting”, as it pertains to righteousness, comes only as one desires it. There must be an active choice on your part, salvation is no accident, and those who receive God’s salvation have made the choice to do so. It is also not just a determination on your part to become religious, the Pharisees were religious and Jesus condemned their religion.

            Salvation comes about as you determine that you are a sinner and it is not physically possible for you change this situation. It is seeing the need of having your sin forgiven and blotted out. The scripture says that the wages of sin is death, Jesus came and died to pay the price of my sin, and his blood is the cleansing agent that will make me look as white as snow when I stand before God in the judgment day. In that day I will stand, having his righteousness to wear as a robe, and his justification which makes my sin as if it never was in the eyes of God.

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Alan
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Thank you for your fine devotion, and teaching, on the scriptural teaching in on righteousness and justification.  :thumb: 

In dealing with the Chinese in the matter of righteousness I usually go to, or quote, 2 Corinthians 5:21, "That he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."  After either show the individual, or quoting, 2 Corinthians 5:21, I break it down: On the Cross of Calvary, the Lord Jesus, who was sinless, was made sin for us; sinners in the sight of God, so that we could be made righteous in Christ. Thereby, justified and righteous, in the presence of God for eternity.

Alan  

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Golgotha
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Thanks to Jesus Christ for the devotion that you have shared by Him, Jim_Alaska.

"   Mat.5:6. shows that becoming righteous by the grace of God is no accident. The words, “hungering and thirsting”, as it pertains to righteousness, comes only as one desires it. There must be an active choice on your part, salvation is no accident, and those who receive God’s salvation have made the choice to do so. It is also not just a determination on your part to become religious, the Pharisees were religious and Jesus condemned their religion. "  ~ Jim_Alaska

Although there is a seemingly active choice on our part, I cannot help but have my sights be lifted up higher by Him in regards to that seemingly active choice on our part to believe in Him. 

I agree that our believing in Jesus Christ by the grace of God is no accident.  John 3:18-21 testifies how God the Father knows whom is seeking Him from those that prefer their evil deeds as it is God the Father that reveals His Son to those that prefer Him ( Matthew 11:25-27 ) & the Father gives them to the Son to keep ( John 6:37-40 )

So I do not see it as an active choice on my part when my believing in Him is a work of God as well.  John 3:21

There wasn't even an active choice on anyone's part to choose to follow Him as His disciple.  John 15:16

The hardest thing for any believer & for myself to accept that I find is that there are vessels unto honor in His House AND there are vessels unto dishonor in His House.  2 Timothy 2:19-21  And although, one reads the vessel unto dishonor as mayhap pertaining to Israel, in Romans 9:11-21 , I cannot help but see by His grace that He is talking about believers that do not follow Him as His disciples as they shall be the vessels unto dishonor as well for not departing from iniquity.

Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 

Feeling small as I should & I am, I hope in Jesus that He has chosen me to be His disciple, as I am recognizing that my hoping in Him that He has chosen me to be His disciple is also a work of God as well.  Even one of the fruits of the Spirit is faith ( Galatians 5:22 ) as that testifies to His workmanship in me for it is by Jesus Christ that I have faith in Him & He is keeping me when I continually have faith & hope in Him.  Philippians 1:6 &11

Many wise men after the flesh, the mighty, & the noble do respond by making an active choice of determination; of commitment; of promises to be seen by men to receive the praises of men, but not the elect. 

1 Corinthians 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

I give thanks to the Father in Jesus's name for my believing in Jesus Christ as I give thanks to Jesus for keeping me in the faith as I continually hope in my Friend that He is keeping me as His chosen friend in following Him as His disciple by abiding in Him & His words in loving others & bearing fruit by Him.

2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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*Light*
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Thank you for posting this, Jim! We know that TRUE Christianity is the ONLY "religion" that is not based on "human achievement" -- but through the imputed righteousness from Christ as you pointed out very well. I am exasperated by all these "cults" that attempt to attain a righteous standing before God on their own merit; not knowing that their "righteousness" is nothing more than a menstrual cloth in God's sight. Matthew 7:21-23 gives an example of those who call Jesus lord, and then "boast" about their works (v.22); such false converts like SDA's, Jehovah's Witness, and Mormons will be in for a rude awakening on that day. Their "works" are nothing more than an "abomination" unto our Lord and God -- and a stench in His nostrils.

God Bless!

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