Daily Bread - 6/15/07
Luke 1 :75 - In holiness and righteousness in His sight all the days of our lives.
The Greek word for holiness (hosiotes), that is used here and in Ephesians 4:24 has a special meaning. In classical Greek the word 'hosia' denotes the everlasting principles of right (Word Study in the New Testament). It is therefore correct to assume then that the Greek word used here for holiness concerns the eternal laws of God. The meaning of "this proper behavior" concerning the eternal laws of God would extend beyond what would be acceptable for a period of time such as the Law of Moses or another covenant to facilitate yet another step towards the ultimate desire of God, but would be the very expression of that behavior. There are some who argue that this word (hosiotes) should be translated 'purity' or 'perfection' (A Handbook of the Gospel of Luke Reiling, J., & Swellengrebel, J. L. (1993], c1971).
Could it be that there exist in everyone who has been born of the Spirit an untapped divine ability to be everything that God intended men to be when He first created them in His likeness and image? Is it possible that because we have not be willing to believe that we can live in this blessed realm, that we have been deceived into accepting a lifestyle far less than what God purposed for us in redemption?
By the Holy Spirit Zacharias prophesied concerning the age of the Messiah, an age which has no end. The age of the Kingdom and reign of the Messiah began 2000 years ago and of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end (Isaiah 9:7; Colossians 1:14). Zacharias announced to all mankind what God would do for us through our Savior Jesus Christ. He was introducing the new birth and the new self, created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24). Through this awesome work of grace God has given to us an unspeakable gift. He has delivered us from the fear that had caused us to live in bondage all of our lifetime (Hebrews 2:15; Luke 1:74; Genesis 3:10). God has filled us with His Spirit and given us the Spirit of adoption so that we can call God or Father and serve Him as He before ordained, in holiness without blame before Him in love (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:4-5). There is absolutely no question about God's desire for us to be holy for He tells us in no uncertain terms to be Holy even as He is Holy and that without holiness we will not see Him (1 Peter 1:15-16; Hebrews 12:14).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Friday, June 15, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Daily Bread - 06/14/07
Romans 6:24 - Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus.
We are shown to be righteous by the grace that we have received through Christ Jesus. The grace that has brought salvation has taught us to deny ungodliness and to live righteously and godly lives (Titus 2:12). The Greek word used here (dikaiow), may correctly be translated "shown to be righteous." Jesus our Lord and Savior can prove that He has made us righteous through the redemption that He has provided for us. The words righteous (dikaios- adjective), righteousness (dikaiosune- noun), and justified (dikaiow- verb) are found a total of 213 times in the New Testament. The verb justified (dikaiow), that is used here appears 40 times in the New Testament.
In the Doctrine of Righteousness (Justification) the message of being justified by His grace and justified by faith incorporate four very important topics of redemption. The first part of being justified by grace is:
1- The forgiveness of the sins that are past. Faith in the blood of Jesus Christ forgives, erases, blots out, every sin that was ever committed Revelations 1:5; Ephesians 1:7; Matthew 26:28).
2- The power of sin was destroyed so that Satan and the nature of sin can no longer dominate our lives (Romans 6:6,14; Hebrews 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Timothy 1:10).
3- The grace of God makes us a new creation in Christ Jesus. Through the Spirit of God we are born again with a divine nature created in righteousness and true holiness (John 3:6; 2 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 4:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 36:26).
4- The Holy Spirit takes control of our life (1 Corinthians 6:17; Romans 8:14). God gave us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into every dimension of righteousness (John 16:13-15; Ephesians 5:18). He has come to be our mentor and teacher to show us how to walk in every dimension of truth and godliness.
5- The grace of God provides us with the ability to grow and maturity into all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16-19; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 2:2). As newborn babes in Christ we start with a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). As we yield to the Holy Spirit we grow and mature. It is God's desire that we come to the measure of the maturity of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).
God who is rich in mercy has called us to be saints and has liberated us to serve Him in righteousness ( 1 Corinthians 1:2; Romans 6:18). It is essential that you believe in your heart that you have been made righteous and that you yield to the power of the Holy Spirit to live righteously (Romans 10:9-10; John 1:12; Romans 6:18; 14:17). Today enjoy the blessedness of living a life of righteousness.
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Romans 6:24 - Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus.
We are shown to be righteous by the grace that we have received through Christ Jesus. The grace that has brought salvation has taught us to deny ungodliness and to live righteously and godly lives (Titus 2:12). The Greek word used here (dikaiow), may correctly be translated "shown to be righteous." Jesus our Lord and Savior can prove that He has made us righteous through the redemption that He has provided for us. The words righteous (dikaios- adjective), righteousness (dikaiosune- noun), and justified (dikaiow- verb) are found a total of 213 times in the New Testament. The verb justified (dikaiow), that is used here appears 40 times in the New Testament.
In the Doctrine of Righteousness (Justification) the message of being justified by His grace and justified by faith incorporate four very important topics of redemption. The first part of being justified by grace is:
1- The forgiveness of the sins that are past. Faith in the blood of Jesus Christ forgives, erases, blots out, every sin that was ever committed Revelations 1:5; Ephesians 1:7; Matthew 26:28).
2- The power of sin was destroyed so that Satan and the nature of sin can no longer dominate our lives (Romans 6:6,14; Hebrews 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Timothy 1:10).
3- The grace of God makes us a new creation in Christ Jesus. Through the Spirit of God we are born again with a divine nature created in righteousness and true holiness (John 3:6; 2 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 4:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 36:26).
4- The Holy Spirit takes control of our life (1 Corinthians 6:17; Romans 8:14). God gave us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into every dimension of righteousness (John 16:13-15; Ephesians 5:18). He has come to be our mentor and teacher to show us how to walk in every dimension of truth and godliness.
5- The grace of God provides us with the ability to grow and maturity into all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16-19; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 2:2). As newborn babes in Christ we start with a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). As we yield to the Holy Spirit we grow and mature. It is God's desire that we come to the measure of the maturity of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).
God who is rich in mercy has called us to be saints and has liberated us to serve Him in righteousness ( 1 Corinthians 1:2; Romans 6:18). It is essential that you believe in your heart that you have been made righteous and that you yield to the power of the Holy Spirit to live righteously (Romans 10:9-10; John 1:12; Romans 6:18; 14:17). Today enjoy the blessedness of living a life of righteousness.
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Daily Bread - 06/13/07
Romans 6:18 - and the you, having been set free from sin, have become servants of righteousness.
Could any stronger language be used to describe God's will for the manner and behavior of our lives as His saints? God has transformed our lives so that we might enjoy the blessedness of His abundant life. It is absolutely impossible to separate God's life and Spirit from His righteousness.
Righteousness is one of the most important subjects of the Bible. There are approximately 741 occurrences of the word in the Old And New Testaments combined. In the Old Testament there are two words, which are translated righteous (tzadek and tzadekah). The Hebrew root occurs 508 times in the Old Testament (523 times according to Anchor Bible Dictionary; Righteousness-Old Testament). The primary word,\ which is used for righteousness (dikaiosune from dikaios) is found 91 times in the New Testament. The Greek root (dikaio-) is found 233 times in the New Testament. The quintessence of righteousness in the Old Testament is encapsulated in who God is: "Yahweh is righteous in all of His ways and holy in all of His works" (Psalms 145:17).
The concrete meaning for righteousness in the New Testament is shaped by the way it was used in the Old Testament. Primarily the meaning is derived from the character of God and the description of His ways. Other examples are verses and context common to the Old and New Testament; some examples are: Genesis 15:6 found in Romans 4:3-22; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23; Psalms 112:3 found in 2 Corinthians 9:9; Psalms 45:7 found in Hebrews 1:9). There are Old Testament associations of the word for righteousness in Acts 17:31 with Psalms 9:8; 96:10; 98:9; 2 Corinthians 9:9 with Hosea 10:12; Ephesians 6:14 with Isaiah 59:17; 11:5; Revelation 19:11 with Psalms 96:13. In the Old Testament righteousness/righteous is used of God (Psalms 7:9; 116:5; 119:37-40; 144; Ezra 9:15; Isaiah 24:16) of His acts (Judges 5:11; 1 Samuel 12:7; Psalms 145:7); of God's people in general (Genesis 18:23-28; Psalms 68:3; Proverbs 21:21; Isaiah 5:23; Ezekiel 3:20; Malachi 3:18) of individuals such as Noah, Job, and Daniel (Genesis 6:9; 7:1; Job 1:1; 2:3; Ezekiel 14:14,20).
In the New Testament, righteousness and justification are interchangeable. In fact, when either the Hebrew root or the Greek 'dikaioun' are used they can equally be translated "just, justice/justification, justify" from the Latin, or "right, righteous(ness)," (Anchor Bible Dictionary; Righteousness- Greco-Roman World). Righteousness/righteous is used of God the Father (John 17:25); of Jesus (Acts 3:14; 7:52; 1 John 2:1) of the saints in general (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; James 5:16; Hebrews 10:38; 1 John 3:7; 1 Peter 3:12); as the result of redemption (Romans 5:17, 19; 3:22; 6:18; 8:10; 9:30; 10:4; 14:17, 4:25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 4:24; Philippians 3:9) of individuals such as Joseph (Matthew 1:19); of Zacharias and Elisabeth (Luke 1:6); of Simeon (Luke 2:25) of Joseph a member of the council (Luke 23:50) as a category of people (Matthew 5:45; 9:13;10:4113:17,43,49; 25:37,46; Luke 1:17; 14:14; Acts 24:15; 2 Corinthians 6:14) of Old Testament saints (Matthew 23:29, 35; Hebrews 11:4).
In the New Testament we are commanded to pursue righteousness (Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22). We are called to be the servants of righteousness and to live righteously (Romans 6:18, 19; 1 Peter 2:24; Titus 1:8; 2:12; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 9:10; Romans 1:17; Ephesians 4:24, 6:14; Philippians 1:11). The New Testament is the Gospel of righteousness and ministry of righteousness (2 Corinthians 3:9; Romans 5:18; 14:17; Ephesians 4:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Romans 6:18 - and the you, having been set free from sin, have become servants of righteousness.
Could any stronger language be used to describe God's will for the manner and behavior of our lives as His saints? God has transformed our lives so that we might enjoy the blessedness of His abundant life. It is absolutely impossible to separate God's life and Spirit from His righteousness.
Righteousness is one of the most important subjects of the Bible. There are approximately 741 occurrences of the word in the Old And New Testaments combined. In the Old Testament there are two words, which are translated righteous (tzadek and tzadekah). The Hebrew root occurs 508 times in the Old Testament (523 times according to Anchor Bible Dictionary; Righteousness-Old Testament). The primary word,\ which is used for righteousness (dikaiosune from dikaios) is found 91 times in the New Testament. The Greek root (dikaio-) is found 233 times in the New Testament. The quintessence of righteousness in the Old Testament is encapsulated in who God is: "Yahweh is righteous in all of His ways and holy in all of His works" (Psalms 145:17).
The concrete meaning for righteousness in the New Testament is shaped by the way it was used in the Old Testament. Primarily the meaning is derived from the character of God and the description of His ways. Other examples are verses and context common to the Old and New Testament; some examples are: Genesis 15:6 found in Romans 4:3-22; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23; Psalms 112:3 found in 2 Corinthians 9:9; Psalms 45:7 found in Hebrews 1:9). There are Old Testament associations of the word for righteousness in Acts 17:31 with Psalms 9:8; 96:10; 98:9; 2 Corinthians 9:9 with Hosea 10:12; Ephesians 6:14 with Isaiah 59:17; 11:5; Revelation 19:11 with Psalms 96:13. In the Old Testament righteousness/righteous is used of God (Psalms 7:9; 116:5; 119:37-40; 144; Ezra 9:15; Isaiah 24:16) of His acts (Judges 5:11; 1 Samuel 12:7; Psalms 145:7); of God's people in general (Genesis 18:23-28; Psalms 68:3; Proverbs 21:21; Isaiah 5:23; Ezekiel 3:20; Malachi 3:18) of individuals such as Noah, Job, and Daniel (Genesis 6:9; 7:1; Job 1:1; 2:3; Ezekiel 14:14,20).
In the New Testament, righteousness and justification are interchangeable. In fact, when either the Hebrew root or the Greek 'dikaioun' are used they can equally be translated "just, justice/justification, justify" from the Latin, or "right, righteous(ness)," (Anchor Bible Dictionary; Righteousness- Greco-Roman World). Righteousness/righteous is used of God the Father (John 17:25); of Jesus (Acts 3:14; 7:52; 1 John 2:1) of the saints in general (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; James 5:16; Hebrews 10:38; 1 John 3:7; 1 Peter 3:12); as the result of redemption (Romans 5:17, 19; 3:22; 6:18; 8:10; 9:30; 10:4; 14:17, 4:25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 4:24; Philippians 3:9) of individuals such as Joseph (Matthew 1:19); of Zacharias and Elisabeth (Luke 1:6); of Simeon (Luke 2:25) of Joseph a member of the council (Luke 23:50) as a category of people (Matthew 5:45; 9:13;10:4113:17,43,49; 25:37,46; Luke 1:17; 14:14; Acts 24:15; 2 Corinthians 6:14) of Old Testament saints (Matthew 23:29, 35; Hebrews 11:4).
In the New Testament we are commanded to pursue righteousness (Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22). We are called to be the servants of righteousness and to live righteously (Romans 6:18, 19; 1 Peter 2:24; Titus 1:8; 2:12; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 9:10; Romans 1:17; Ephesians 4:24, 6:14; Philippians 1:11). The New Testament is the Gospel of righteousness and ministry of righteousness (2 Corinthians 3:9; Romans 5:18; 14:17; Ephesians 4:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Daily Bread - 06/12/07
2 Corinthians 5:21 - For He who knew no sin was made sin for us so that we may be the righteousness of God in Him.
The prophet Isaiah gives an account of how Jesus took our sin and shame upon Himself on the cross (Isaiah 53:4-6, 10). In this account, he reveals to all the world that through God's righteous servant (Christ Jesus) many would be made righteous (Isaiah 53:11). Peter also revealed to us that Jesus bore our sins in his own body on the tree so that we may be dead to sin and live unto righteousness (1 Peter 2:24). Because of the sin of one man (Adam), the power of sin dominated the heart of man, but through the righteousness of one man, Christ Jesus, the power of sin was destroyed (Hebrews 2:14; 2 Timothy 1:10; Romans 5:17; 1 John 3:5; John 1:29). To accomplish the destruction of sin, God made Jesus to be sin with a sin that was our own so that we might be made righteous with a righteousness that is His own. As sin dominated our hearts because we were born of man, now righteousness dominates our hearts because we have been born of God.
One of the great stories of forgiveness and mercy are given to us in the small book of the Bible called Philemon. A slave named Onesimus stole from his master whose name was Philemon. If Onesimus were caught and punished for his crime he would be crucified. However, instead he met Paul and was changed into another man by the blood of Jesus. Paul wrote to Philemon concerning Onesimus and said, "receive him as myself. Also, if he owes you anything put that to my account (Philemon 1:18)." Through Paul's intercession the relationship of Philemon and Onesimus was restored because a righteous man interceded for an unrighteous one. Onesimus did not continue to be a thief and a runaway slave but was restored to a right relationship with Philemon. Similarly, Jesus had all of ours sins charged to his account and through His intercession He restored us to a right relationship with God. Yet, He did more than just restore us to relationship (reconcile us), He provided us with a change of nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). Then to seal our success He came along with us into our restored relationship to teach us and guide us into every correct action and attitude.
The life of sin is a life of wrong actions whereas the life of righteousness is the life of right actions. When the power of sin rules over the heart of man then there will only be wrong actions, but when the Holy Spirit rules over the heart there will be right actions. Jesus put sin to death on the cross so that righteousness might take its place in our life (Romans 8:3). To make salvation anything less than a change in nature does away with faith altogether. To suggest that we are no different in our behavior after we have been redeemed is to make God a liar. To believe that we are somehow perfected through our own good efforts or through religious practices is no different than trusting in the law for righteousness. The treasure of God's righteousness is only found in Christ Jesus for He alone has the power to reconcile us and transform our lives into a new creation. Through depending upon and yielding to the Holy Spirit we live the life of righteousness that God created us for.
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
2 Corinthians 5:21 - For He who knew no sin was made sin for us so that we may be the righteousness of God in Him.
The prophet Isaiah gives an account of how Jesus took our sin and shame upon Himself on the cross (Isaiah 53:4-6, 10). In this account, he reveals to all the world that through God's righteous servant (Christ Jesus) many would be made righteous (Isaiah 53:11). Peter also revealed to us that Jesus bore our sins in his own body on the tree so that we may be dead to sin and live unto righteousness (1 Peter 2:24). Because of the sin of one man (Adam), the power of sin dominated the heart of man, but through the righteousness of one man, Christ Jesus, the power of sin was destroyed (Hebrews 2:14; 2 Timothy 1:10; Romans 5:17; 1 John 3:5; John 1:29). To accomplish the destruction of sin, God made Jesus to be sin with a sin that was our own so that we might be made righteous with a righteousness that is His own. As sin dominated our hearts because we were born of man, now righteousness dominates our hearts because we have been born of God.
One of the great stories of forgiveness and mercy are given to us in the small book of the Bible called Philemon. A slave named Onesimus stole from his master whose name was Philemon. If Onesimus were caught and punished for his crime he would be crucified. However, instead he met Paul and was changed into another man by the blood of Jesus. Paul wrote to Philemon concerning Onesimus and said, "receive him as myself. Also, if he owes you anything put that to my account (Philemon 1:18)." Through Paul's intercession the relationship of Philemon and Onesimus was restored because a righteous man interceded for an unrighteous one. Onesimus did not continue to be a thief and a runaway slave but was restored to a right relationship with Philemon. Similarly, Jesus had all of ours sins charged to his account and through His intercession He restored us to a right relationship with God. Yet, He did more than just restore us to relationship (reconcile us), He provided us with a change of nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). Then to seal our success He came along with us into our restored relationship to teach us and guide us into every correct action and attitude.
The life of sin is a life of wrong actions whereas the life of righteousness is the life of right actions. When the power of sin rules over the heart of man then there will only be wrong actions, but when the Holy Spirit rules over the heart there will be right actions. Jesus put sin to death on the cross so that righteousness might take its place in our life (Romans 8:3). To make salvation anything less than a change in nature does away with faith altogether. To suggest that we are no different in our behavior after we have been redeemed is to make God a liar. To believe that we are somehow perfected through our own good efforts or through religious practices is no different than trusting in the law for righteousness. The treasure of God's righteousness is only found in Christ Jesus for He alone has the power to reconcile us and transform our lives into a new creation. Through depending upon and yielding to the Holy Spirit we live the life of righteousness that God created us for.
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Monday, June 11, 2007
Daily Bread - 06/11/07
Romans 3:21 - Now the righteousness of God is manifested separately from the Law although the Law and the Prophets bore witness of it.
The righteousness of God has been revealed throughout the Old Testament. It was revealed by His love, mercy and many blessings on the obedient and His judgment against sin. By definition the righteousness of God describes the acts of God. The significant difference in this kind of righteousness from any other righteousness is simply understood by realizing that any righteousness that comes from man or the law is human acts whereas and righteousness that comes from God are His acts.
Justification by faith is identical to "made righteous by faith" (The Anchor Bible Dictionary- Righteousness (Greco-Roman World). There is no difference in the Greek Language (or for that matter many other language such as Spanish or French) between justification and righteousness. Being justified or made the righteousness of God is far more than ones standing with God. In a study of the Old Testament to define the righteousness of God ones standing with God is not part of the description of God's acts.
The law could only testify of God's righteousness but it could never give it because the law was powerless to impart the life and Spirit of God, which is the source of His righteousness (Galatians 3:21). God declares by His prophet Isaiah that the righteousness of His people comes from Him (Isaiah 54:17). The prophet describes the people of God as the trees of righteousness that the Lord planted (Isaiah 61:3). The prophet Jeremiah declares that in the day of salvation that the people will be called "Yaweh (God) our Righteousness" (Jeremiah 33:6).
The righteousness of God is not something a person can obtain through the works of the law. The righteousness of God goes far beyond anything that a sinful man can reach. God in His abundant love and mercy gave His righteousness to us as a free gift (Romans 5:17). When we were born of the Spirit, God created us in true righteousness and holiness after His image (Ephesians 4:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17). We have the righteousness of God because we have been given the life and Spirit of God. Through the new birth God gave us His very nature (Ephesians 4:24; 2 Peter 1:4). Now, as we learn to submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to govern our lives the nature of God is revealed in our lives by His acts (2 Corinthians 9:10; Philippians 1:11; Hebrews 12:11; Romans 14:17, Romans 1:17).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Romans 3:21 - Now the righteousness of God is manifested separately from the Law although the Law and the Prophets bore witness of it.
The righteousness of God has been revealed throughout the Old Testament. It was revealed by His love, mercy and many blessings on the obedient and His judgment against sin. By definition the righteousness of God describes the acts of God. The significant difference in this kind of righteousness from any other righteousness is simply understood by realizing that any righteousness that comes from man or the law is human acts whereas and righteousness that comes from God are His acts.
Justification by faith is identical to "made righteous by faith" (The Anchor Bible Dictionary- Righteousness (Greco-Roman World). There is no difference in the Greek Language (or for that matter many other language such as Spanish or French) between justification and righteousness. Being justified or made the righteousness of God is far more than ones standing with God. In a study of the Old Testament to define the righteousness of God ones standing with God is not part of the description of God's acts.
The law could only testify of God's righteousness but it could never give it because the law was powerless to impart the life and Spirit of God, which is the source of His righteousness (Galatians 3:21). God declares by His prophet Isaiah that the righteousness of His people comes from Him (Isaiah 54:17). The prophet describes the people of God as the trees of righteousness that the Lord planted (Isaiah 61:3). The prophet Jeremiah declares that in the day of salvation that the people will be called "Yaweh (God) our Righteousness" (Jeremiah 33:6).
The righteousness of God is not something a person can obtain through the works of the law. The righteousness of God goes far beyond anything that a sinful man can reach. God in His abundant love and mercy gave His righteousness to us as a free gift (Romans 5:17). When we were born of the Spirit, God created us in true righteousness and holiness after His image (Ephesians 4:24; 2 Corinthians 5:17). We have the righteousness of God because we have been given the life and Spirit of God. Through the new birth God gave us His very nature (Ephesians 4:24; 2 Peter 1:4). Now, as we learn to submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to govern our lives the nature of God is revealed in our lives by His acts (2 Corinthians 9:10; Philippians 1:11; Hebrews 12:11; Romans 14:17, Romans 1:17).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Daily Bread - 06/09/07
2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake He made Him to be a sin offering who knew no sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
There are three kinds of righteousness: self- righteousness, the righteousness of the Law and the righteousness of God. Of these three only the righteousness of God belongs in the New Testament (Matthew 6:33; Romans 1:17; Romans 3:21-22; 10:3; Philippians 3:9). The righteousness of God is an imparted righteousness; a righteousness that anyone can draw on by making a simple request for salvation. When we call upon the Lord He cloths us with a new self which is created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). In the Commentary, Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible by Jamieson, Fausset and Brown we read, "the righteousness of God - Not merely righteous, but righteousness itself; not merely righteousness, but the righteousness of God, because Christ is God, and what He is we are (1Jn 4:17)..."
Paul revealed two kinds of righteousness when he lamented over the ignorance of Israel. Because they were ignorant of God's righteousness they were still seeking to established their own, instead of submitting to the righteousness of God (Romans 10:3). Today, Christians fall into the same snare. They become so focused on their efforts that they fail to realize that there is a righteousness that comes from God that they can draw on through the supply of the Holy Spirit. Instead of attempting to arise from our struggles with our own strength we must look up and behold the righteousness of God that is revealed through faith for faith and realize that those who are righteous live by faith (Romans 1:17; Philippians 3:9). The power of faith that is fueled by the Holy Spirit is not only enough to move mountains into the sea and make the impossible possible but it is also the means by which you and I walk in all the ways of God's righteousness.
Could there be any greater joy or a more blessed life than to be privileged to walk in the majesty of God's one righteousness? When we consider that God's love is one of the chief characteristics of His righteousness we may begin to grasp the quality of life that has been handed to us as a free gift. We are so blessed that we do not have to labor and strive for such a righteousness to be established in our lives for Christ Jesus gave it to us with one act of love. Yet, to benefit we must learn how to let the Spirit of God rule over our lives by simply submitting to the activity of His working power that is at work in us (Ephesians 3:20; Colossians 1:29; 2 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 2:5).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake He made Him to be a sin offering who knew no sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
There are three kinds of righteousness: self- righteousness, the righteousness of the Law and the righteousness of God. Of these three only the righteousness of God belongs in the New Testament (Matthew 6:33; Romans 1:17; Romans 3:21-22; 10:3; Philippians 3:9). The righteousness of God is an imparted righteousness; a righteousness that anyone can draw on by making a simple request for salvation. When we call upon the Lord He cloths us with a new self which is created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). In the Commentary, Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible by Jamieson, Fausset and Brown we read, "the righteousness of God - Not merely righteous, but righteousness itself; not merely righteousness, but the righteousness of God, because Christ is God, and what He is we are (1Jn 4:17)..."
Paul revealed two kinds of righteousness when he lamented over the ignorance of Israel. Because they were ignorant of God's righteousness they were still seeking to established their own, instead of submitting to the righteousness of God (Romans 10:3). Today, Christians fall into the same snare. They become so focused on their efforts that they fail to realize that there is a righteousness that comes from God that they can draw on through the supply of the Holy Spirit. Instead of attempting to arise from our struggles with our own strength we must look up and behold the righteousness of God that is revealed through faith for faith and realize that those who are righteous live by faith (Romans 1:17; Philippians 3:9). The power of faith that is fueled by the Holy Spirit is not only enough to move mountains into the sea and make the impossible possible but it is also the means by which you and I walk in all the ways of God's righteousness.
Could there be any greater joy or a more blessed life than to be privileged to walk in the majesty of God's one righteousness? When we consider that God's love is one of the chief characteristics of His righteousness we may begin to grasp the quality of life that has been handed to us as a free gift. We are so blessed that we do not have to labor and strive for such a righteousness to be established in our lives for Christ Jesus gave it to us with one act of love. Yet, to benefit we must learn how to let the Spirit of God rule over our lives by simply submitting to the activity of His working power that is at work in us (Ephesians 3:20; Colossians 1:29; 2 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 2:5).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
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