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