KenH
Well-Known Member
WHOSE RIGHTEOUSNESS?
It is the nature of the flesh to trust that our works count for something in the halls of heaven. No one is immune from this inclination, so we all fall into this trap from time to time. Any righteousness of this flesh is by necessity a comparative righteousness. That which is flesh, is flesh.
These self righteous thoughts ever assault our minds and are magnified in times of political, cultural, or even personal shifts when we exalt ourselves above our fellows. Easy targets are everywhere, so it is low hanging fruit to declare that this world, and even those of the church would be so much better if they were only more like me. It may never be put in those words, but the implication is there and inescapable.
2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
...
Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
It is right, proper and scriptural to provoke each other unto love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24) However, we so often slip, cut ourselves and bleed self-righteousness, either directly, or by implication, when we hold ourselves up as the comparative standard in lieu of scripture. Seeking to mold our fellow man into our perceived better image is a trap whereby we both wind up in the ditch.
It is simply a fact that we are each and every one, sinners according to this flesh. (Romans 3:10-12) We are all sinners by birth, by practice and by choice. (Romans 7:24-25). Yet for the child of God, chosen in the everlasting covenant of grace, that is not the end of the story.
The child of God is decreed to be the very righteousness of God in Christ. That is, they is charged with an alien righteousness that they did not seek, nor produce, and cannot maintain, yet they are kept by the power of God, eternally spotless in the Beloved. The entirety of their sin was laid on Him, satisfying that debt, while the entirety of His righteousness is charged to them. This is the abiding condition of every child of God, regardless of their present circumstance, political leanings, or personality quirks. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
The only righteousness that meets God's holy law and justice; the only righteousness in which God Himself cannot find a flaw is the righteousness established by Christ through His obedience unto the death of the cross. May the sheep of God, by the grace of God be ever found lying down in the green pastures of that righteousness alone.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
- written by Kenny Dyess, via his Facebook page
It is the nature of the flesh to trust that our works count for something in the halls of heaven. No one is immune from this inclination, so we all fall into this trap from time to time. Any righteousness of this flesh is by necessity a comparative righteousness. That which is flesh, is flesh.
These self righteous thoughts ever assault our minds and are magnified in times of political, cultural, or even personal shifts when we exalt ourselves above our fellows. Easy targets are everywhere, so it is low hanging fruit to declare that this world, and even those of the church would be so much better if they were only more like me. It may never be put in those words, but the implication is there and inescapable.
2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
...
Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
It is right, proper and scriptural to provoke each other unto love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24) However, we so often slip, cut ourselves and bleed self-righteousness, either directly, or by implication, when we hold ourselves up as the comparative standard in lieu of scripture. Seeking to mold our fellow man into our perceived better image is a trap whereby we both wind up in the ditch.
It is simply a fact that we are each and every one, sinners according to this flesh. (Romans 3:10-12) We are all sinners by birth, by practice and by choice. (Romans 7:24-25). Yet for the child of God, chosen in the everlasting covenant of grace, that is not the end of the story.
The child of God is decreed to be the very righteousness of God in Christ. That is, they is charged with an alien righteousness that they did not seek, nor produce, and cannot maintain, yet they are kept by the power of God, eternally spotless in the Beloved. The entirety of their sin was laid on Him, satisfying that debt, while the entirety of His righteousness is charged to them. This is the abiding condition of every child of God, regardless of their present circumstance, political leanings, or personality quirks. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
The only righteousness that meets God's holy law and justice; the only righteousness in which God Himself cannot find a flaw is the righteousness established by Christ through His obedience unto the death of the cross. May the sheep of God, by the grace of God be ever found lying down in the green pastures of that righteousness alone.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
- written by Kenny Dyess, via his Facebook page