Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew. 6:33. The righteousness of God, says Jesus, is the one thing to be sought in this life. Food and clothing are minor matters in comparison with it. God will supply them, as a matter of course, so that anxious care and worriment need not be expended on them; but to secure Gods kingdom and His righteousness should be the only object of life. We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is. 1 John 3:5, 6. Here is the true test. If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in us, our feelings, our thoughts, our purposes, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God as expressed in the precepts of His holy law. Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 1 John 3:7. Righteousness is defined by the standard of Gods holy law. Righteousness is obedience to GODs law. That so-called faith in Christ which professes to release men from the obligation of obedience to God, is not faith, but presumption. By grace are you saved through faith. But faith, if it does not have works, is dead. Ephesians 2:8; James 2:17. Jesus said of Himself before He came to earth, I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” Psalm 40:8. And just before He ascended again to heaven He declared, I have kept My Fathers commandments, and abide in His love. John 15:10. The Scripture says, And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesnt obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6. Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. 1 Peter 2:21.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 00:13:25 +0000