From faith to faith…. One of the most crucial doctrines of the Christian persuasion is the doctrine of righteousness. It is essential and crucial that it be taught accurately for it is a key accomplishment of the finished works of Christ. What is Righteousness? Righteousness is defined as ‘meeting God’s standards, to be in right standing with him, to be accepted before him and to be perfect before him’. The question is this, ‘Where a man is made righteous? Most folks would opine that a man is as righteous as he is good. In other words, when you do good you are righteous. Most of those that think this way have their comprehension of righteousness framed by the Old Testament. Thinking like this is like responding to the question of who the President of the United States in 2014 is, with Theodore Roosevelt. It doesn’t make sense! There are truths and there are present truths. 2 Peter 1:12, ‘Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.’ There is the comprehension of righteousness in the old testament and it is seen as predicated upon a man’s deeds- Romans 10:2-5. And there is the PRESENT comprehension of righteousness. Romans 3:21-22, ‘But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ..’ This is interesting! If there is anything that should be emphasized in the body is the righteousness of God! Where is the revelation of God’s righteousness? Romans 1:16-17, ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.’ The Gospel of Jesus Christ unveils the Righteousness of God FROM FAITH TO FAITH. What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? It is the annunciation of all Jesus has accomplished; his finished works. And your faith in his finished works accomplishes the righteousness in you! Let’s see a very important detail in these verses. He tells us that the righteousness of God is revealed FROM FAITH TO FAITH. There are two words that help us in our comprehension of this detail. They are the words ‘from’ and ‘to’. ‘From’ is from the Greek, ‘ek/ex’; it means to ‘originate from’. ‘To’ is from ‘Eis’. It means to ‘go into’. ‘Ek/Ex’ refers to origin while ‘Eis’ refers to ‘destination’ or ‘end’. This means righteousness originates from faith and ends in faith. This informs us of the boundaries of God’s righteousness. Righteousness will ONLY and SOLELY be found within Faith. Someone might ask ‘What about 1 John 3:7, ‘Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.’ Isn’t there a doing of righteousness? In Bible study, Words must be read in the original languages for clearer understanding. The word, ‘doeth’ derives from the Greek, ‘poieō’ . ‘Poieō’ refers to ‘the accomplishment of a thing’. So, what then does it mean to ‘do’ or ‘accomplish’ righteousness? Knowing that scripture interprets scripture, we read Hebrews 11:33, ‘Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ‘ I’d like you to observe the part that read, ‘..wrought righteousness..’. ‘Wrought’ is from the Greek word, ‘ergazomai’. It means to ‘produce, to accomplish’. The verse tells us that righteousness is accomplished in faith! The righteousness of God will never leave the boundaries of faith into the arena of works. Faith in the perfect work of Christ is the only milieu from righteousness. In Christ, we have become God’s righteousness! Glory! #Pleroma
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 09:11:35 +0000
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