Tag Archives: righteousness

ROMANS…AN OVERVIEW-18

Bible Study, ,

For weeks we have traversed the first 8 chapters of Paul’s letter to the Romans…his presentation of God’s righteousness…what it is and how it underpins the story of redemption. Before we move into the next major section…where the Jews and Gentiles fit into this cosmic plan…I think it would be appropriate to do a panoramic overview of what we have learned so far. 

The story is not finished. There is still more to come before we dive into the ways God’s righteousness plays out in our everyday lives, but…let’s pause and reflect…

Paul begins by presenting a very dark picture of the state of the world. Gentiles, in the main, are guilty of heinous sin. They have not only rejected the knowledge of God by trading His glory for created things, worshiping creatures instead of the Creator, but they have suppressed the truth by their wickedness.  Together with this wickedness, they worship and live in keeping with the worst of the idols they have created…indulging in perversity so bad that they reverse right and wrong. 

The result, from God’s perspective, is judgment through consequences.  God allows them to become what they have chosen…people who can no longer think straight…people with reprobate minds. 

“In the Bible, a reprobate refers to a person who is morally corrupt, rejected by God, or disqualified from the faith because of persistent sin and refusal to repent. It describes someone who has failed God’s moral test and whose conscience has become debased or worthless.” (Source: Google AI)

Reprobates! Their consciences no longer function! They have no moral compass! They are dead…worthless…fit only for Gehenna…the rubbish heap where trash is burned. 

And the Jews? Oh, they are the self-righteous ones. They think they are okay because they have God’s law…as though the mere possession of His law would protect them from God’s wrath. So sorry, Jews. It doesn’t work that way. They are as guilty of sin as the Gentiles simply because they do what the Gentiles do…they also make up their own rules and live by them. 

Now, the dilemma is that there is not one single person on earth who has made it with God…not one. God is perfectly just to condemn the whole world to death. He is righteous and acts in righteousness by punishing sin. 

So, what did God do? Did he wipe out the human race and start again? No! He sent His own Son, as a human being, to do for the guilty human race what they couldn’t do for themselves. Jesus lived the sinless life humans were supposed to live…and then He died the death humans deserved to die for failing to live in obedience to God’s righteous requirements. What a trade!

The question is…how can the life and death of Jesus save us from the consequences of our rebellion? Paul launches into the story of Abraham…the man who fathered the Jewish nation. Abraham shows us how to move from condemnation to salvation…from death to life…from hell to God…by faith! 

God told Abraham what He had planned to do, to make him the father of a nation so vast that it would be like comparing them to the stars in the sky and…Abraham believed God. It was as simple as that! From that moment, Abraham was on God’s side and then… God cut covenant with him. He had inherited God’s righteousness through a transaction by faith. This means that Abraham’s obedience to God was a confirmation that he was in covenant with God and fully accepted, even if he failed at times. 

Paul then extends his explanation of God’s righteousness by showing that Jesus…whom he called “the last Adam” in 1 Corinthians, reversed what Adam, “the first Adam”, had done when he sinned. Adam’s one act of disobedience brought death to the whole human race. Jesus’ life of obedience and death for sinners undid what Adam’s disobedience had done. He, Jesus, brought righteousness and life to the many…those who received the gift by faith. 

What Jesus did means that, through God’s grace…the unmerited favour He shows to those who believe…He gives us power to overcome sin so that we can now live righteous lives. 

Next, Paul bumps into a foolish argument. Can’t we go on sinning, then, because God’s grace always provides forgiveness? No! You don’t understand! Grace doesn’t mean we can go on sinning because we have been forgiven. Grace means that we have no more need to sin. Why? Since we died to sin when Jesus died…and we testify to our own death when we are baptised…we are no longer under sin’s power. We don’t need to sin because we are under a new master…righteousness.  

The problem is that we must constantly make choices…if we choose to sin, even if we have been freed from sin’s power, we become sin’s slaves. If we choose to do the right thing…and we can because we aren’t bound by sin any more…we are slaves of righteousness. Which is better? Righteousness, of course! Sin leads to death. Righteousness leads to life and peace. 

Then there’s another problem…the law. The law triggers the old rebellious nature in us. When God says, “No!” or “Do this, not that,” our sin nature rebels. That’s how it is! Sin’s power is so strong that we get caught in its trap even if we don’t want to sin. 

So, what can we do about it? 

Faith in Jesus is the key! Paul dedicates a long explanation to show us how, by fully trusting in Jesus, we can live these new lives of righteousness through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in us. Yes, we still have the old nature but…no, we are no longer under its power. We have a new “driver” at the wheel of our lives. Which way we go depends on to what we give our minds…simply…what we think. 

The outcome of God’s righteousness…what He did to deal with our sin in keeping with who He is…is a life free from condemnation. Empowered by the resident Holy Spirit, gaining victory over the old sin nature, we learn to keep in step with the Spirit’s leading like soldiers marching in rank. 

This new life is part of a much bigger picture. Creation, and the Spirit groan together with us in anticipation of the completion of what God has begun…restoration of everything God created as good in the beginning. 

For now, we celebrate because we can live this life of trouble and suffering in the full assurance that there is nothing on, above, or under this earth that can come between God’s love and us…and us and God’s love…because of Jesus. 

One more observation…although Paul obviously wrote what the Holy Spirit had revealed to him because this was his mandate as an apostle…we cannot escape the truth that Paul’s own experience was intricately woven into the theology of this revelation. He had lived every bit of what he had written. He had learned the truth of Jesus’ words…

“The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭63‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, he writes what is both theological and autobiographical. 

To be continued

ACTS THE SEQUEL…WAIT SOME MORE – 59

Bible Study, ,

“Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Despite procrastinating, Felix did something unexpected for a government official. He fraternised with Paul. He listened to Paul’s messages time and again…both fascinated and afraid. He knew that Paul was speaking the truth. He knew that he had to do something about it. His response? Hurry up and wait! Again! 

Under the surface, however, Felix’s interest and delays had an ulterior motive. If he dragged Paul’s case out long enough, perhaps Paul would get tired…lose heart…become impatient…give in…cross his palm with silver… pay him a handsome bribe in exchange for his freedom. Felix was not above a little corruption to keep the wheels of government turning smoothly. 

Not Paul! He had all the time in the world. He was in no hurry. He was following God’s timetable. He was on his way to Rome as God had promised, and he would get there in God’s time. So he waited…for two years…quite comfortable in his accommodation, with his friends in attendance… in Herod’s palace… at government expense. 

This scenario was a standoff…Felix against Paul, Felix in it for the money…and Paul awaiting God’s timing and His way. Felix had the power to release Paul or to keep him incarcerated for as long as he pleased. Paul, on the other hand, had no case to answer…and Felix knew it!

And so the years passed…again. For what was Felix waiting? For an opportunity to pass the buck because he didn’t have courage or the conviction to free Paul although he knew he was innocent?

Felix’s break came at last. His tenure as governor came to an end and he was succeeded by Porcius Festus…and the process had to begin all over again. In the meanwhile, m Paul remained a prisoner…at Felix’s good pleasure. 

“When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Another hearing…another defence…

“After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him. When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them. Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭25‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Finally…after the umpteenth time of telling his story, Paul got his break. Festus gave Paul a choice…

“Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?” 

Why Jerusalem? He had already defended himself before the Sanhedrin there to no avail. His story had almost got himself killed. Not again. His only alternative was to go to the top. 

Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭25‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ NIV

That did it! The die was caste. He was destined for Rome and nothing or no one could stop him now. Festus was obliged to honour his decision…

And so…the preparations were made. Paul was going to Rome…at government expense!

To be continued

PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD – 4

Christian Life, ,

Ephesians 6:14 NLT
[14] “Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.”

The next piece of “armour” covers our chest, protecting our lungs and heart, the most vital parts of our bodies without which we cannot live. What do our lungs and heart represent? Our lungs provide the oxygen our bodies need to function efficiently. Our hearts pump blood, carrying oxygen and nutrients to every cell in our bodies and waste matter away to be eliminated.

Air and nutrients are the essential ingredients that keep us alive. Truth is the spiritual counterpart that keeps us spiritually alive, drawn into our spirits as we take in the Word that influences our every thought and action.

Righteousness is our standing in God. He has cancelled the guilty verdict against us and rewritten our standing from “guilty” to “not guilty”. Regardless of our day-to-day thoughts and actions, we are permanently righteous because Jesus gave us His own righteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
[21″God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Keeping our standing in righteousness always in mind, even if we sin, is the safeguard we have against one of Satan’s favourite tactics…condemnation!

Oh, how he enjoys accusing us when we have stepped out of line! He piles on the condemnation, trying to convince us that God is finished with us!

What an indictment against a merciful and faithful God who has assured us that we are forever righteous which is our standing in His grace and can never be taken away. We may blow it, but God has made provision even when we sin.

1 John 2:1-2 NLT
[1] “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. [2] He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”

Hiw do we deal with condemnation?

First, we identify the voice of the accuser. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit convinces us of righteousness. What does He mean?

John 16:8 NLT
[8]”And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.”

Although three groups are not specifically categorised, the Holy Spirit has a focus on, first, unbelievers (the world). He convicts them of sin. Second, He convicts believers, not of sin since our own conscience does that for us…

1 John 3:21 NIV
[21]”Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God…”

Romans 2:14-15 NIV
[14] “(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. [15] They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)”

…but of righteousness. He draws attention to our standing before God. Sin is a temporary lapse but the Spirit calls us to righteousness. His strategy is not to intensify our guilt but to call us back to who we are!

The third category in the Holy Spirit’s trilogy of focus is Satan. His destiny is judgment from which he can never escape. When he tries to condemn the sinning believer, the Spirit convinces him of his fate.

Our protection against the devil’s accusations, then is to remember and stand on our standing in righteousness before God. No matter what, we are forever righteous, guaranteed by Christ’s righteousness in us, and nothing can change our position.

We must breathe righteousness so that it can circulate and nourish our every thought and action. No matter what strategy Satan uses to try to breach our breastplate of righteous, it remains impenetrable because God said so, we believe it, and we are safe!

“This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me/2/
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word
Spoken to me
And I… I’m desparate for you
And I… I’m lost without you
This is air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word
Spoken to me
And I… I’m desparate for you
And I… I’m lost without you”
REPEAT.
(Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Joseph Oscar Mettle
This Is the Air I Breathe lyrics © Ghmusic Publishing And Management)

We have a safeguard, a gauge if you like, that helps us to stay on track if and when we sin. We’ll examine this piece of our armour in our next post.

To be continued…

LIFE LESSONS FROM ABRAHAM – 1

Christian Life, ,

At the end of our journey with Abraham, we can learn valuable life lessons to apply to our own faith walk with God.

Let’s begin with the most significant lesson of all, Abraham’s faith. Abraham’s decision to believe God’s promise of many parts; (a son, a nation, a homeland, and a legacy for the whole world, which God reiterated to both Isaac and Jacob, and ratified with a blood sacrifice ceremony and with the sign of circumcision when he was a barren old man), put him into the state of righteousness with God. This is the same criterion and requirement for everyone who aspires to participate in God’s kingdom.

After his choice to believe God’s promise, Abraham’s standing in God no longer depended on his performance but on the righteousness credited to him because of his faith. He would always have a credit balance in his relationship with God, guaranteed by his faith in God’s promise.

‭Romans‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭NLT‬
[13] “Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith…
[16] So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.”

God treasures faith in Him and His word more than any other human response to Him.

‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭NLT‬
[1] “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see…
[6] And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

‭John‬ ‭6:28‭-‬29‬ ‭NLT‬
[28]”They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” [29] Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

Unbelief is what dishonours God the most because unbelief declares that God is a liar. Unbelief produces all the evil behaviour that reflects rebellion against God’s person and standards.

‭John‬ ‭3:18‭-‬19‬ ‭NLT‬
[18] “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. [19] And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.”

Evil deeds, then, are the fruit of unbelief, and unbelief will bring God’s judgment down on the heads of all who dare to call Him a liar.

It was his standing in grace that Abraham received by faith that brought him into the intimacy of friendship with God. Abraham did not claim this friendship for himself. God drew him into this intimate relationship because Abraham also lived righteously. It was God who expressed His confidence that Abraham would not only live a righteous life but also lead his family to follow his example.

‭Genesis‬ ‭18:17‭-‬19‬ ‭NLT‬
[17] “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked. [18] “For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. [19] I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”

What a legacy for those who are declared righteous because of their faith! If every godly parent would follow God’s pattern, God’s kingdom in our hearts would spread and flourish in our communities.

To be continued…

GOD’S ABUNDANCE IN A SEED

Christian Life, ,

GOD’S ABUNDANCE IN A SEED

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest…. will never cease.” (Genesis 8:22, NIV).

God is abundantly generous but also very wise. He does not want us to live only from handouts from Him. He wants us to live in obedience to His ways so that we can grow in trust and dependence.

So, He built the amazing principle of seedtime and harvest into everything He does. Creation began with one of each species with the potential to reproduce through seeds. “God blessed them (the water and sky creatures – author’s comment) and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number…”” (Genesis 1:22). The harvest from which we eat, comes from seed (Genesis 8:22);children are born to us from seed (Gal 3:16);faith is given to us as a seed (Matthew 17:20);God’s Word is seed (Luke 8:11; 1 Peter 1:23);the kingdom of heaven is a seed (Matt 13:31);our Saviour was a seed (John 12:24); even ourmoney is seed (2 Cor 9:10).

When you look at an apple, what do you see, some fruit to eat or the potential of an orchard of apple trees? It all depends on your perspective.

As our Father, God has pledged to meet all our needs but, if we do not understand the law of the harvest, we will miss one of His most amazing and exciting principles. He wants us to partner with Him in everything we do, including releasing His supply of resources for our lives, so He put everything into seed form. Every seed, no matter what kind it is, has the power within itself to produce a harvest but it must be sown in the appropriate soil in order to release its power.

Our responsibility is not only to sow the seed, but to put it into the right soil; for example, money buried in the ground, or in the bank, will not grow, but given away to someone in need, will produce a harvest

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6,7, NIV).

Whatever our need might be, if we sow the appropriate seed into the right soil, we will reap what we have sown, according to the amount we have sown.

This principle applies to everything we do. If we sow friendship, we will reap friendship, if we sow love, we will reap love, if we sow conflict, we will reap conflict etc. The principle works for everything.

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

The outworking of this law has an even bigger purpose than just meeting our needs. Through the harvest, God not only increases our store of seed but also enlarges our harvest of righteousness. It is right to be generous and every time we give, we increase our capacity to be like God. Wow! That’s what God wants!

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