Subtract sin from a man and what do we get? Something very blessed and also precious results. Tears come into the eyes as mercy releases us of the captivity sin brings. Almost too good to be true, the hard driver of the soul, judged, must take a back seat at our discretion. Yes, we can affirm this morning’s reawakening, His compassions fail not, so says the book of Lamentations.
As the new math would have it, then, we also add — the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. We receive what we don’t deserve, yes, in abundance. What does it mean? Well, it provides all of the Person needed to live a life hidden with Christ in God. Not necessarily a life of success or earthly failure. But one of supreme success in the secret place of the most high God, under the shadow of the Almighty. The secret place of the stairs is this place, the narrow way, the way that leads to eternal life. It is the highway that is above to the wise, to depart from hell beneath. It is the gift of Christ.
But, what is this righteousness which is also added? Good question. Well it must be my new standing before a holy God. It is my badge of justification . Indeed, it is a robe, it is a breast plate, it is a turban, it is a linen garment. Beauty that the king desires, it’s the oil of joy. A garment of praise, it handles the spirit of heaviness. It creates in us a place of high honor. It is the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus. It is none other then the Lord our righteousness, who now dwells in us, and we in Him.
Oh, there is so much more. By these two , grace and righteousness, we can actually reign in life. According to proverbs chapter 10, the righteous lips feed many. They know what is acceptable , they will never be moved, blessings are upon their head , and they walk surely. Their memory is blessed, their desire is granted, the Lord strengthens them, their confident expectation is gladness. Their way is directed, their integrity guides them, they are delivered from death. When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and by their blessing the city is exalted.
To him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward and the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and the righteous shall be rewarded on the earth.
Genesis 7:1 finds a righteous man. “And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” Noah is delivered from the great flood. Genesis 15:6 then, “And Abraham believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
In Job 27:6 Job held fast his righteousness, he would not let it go. Not easy, a man affirms his righteousness. Is it his moral conduct? Is it his good judgment? Is it his ability to perform honestly his duties of life? Or is it the acknowledgement of a certain gift? In our case it must be the last. Paul said, ” that I might be found in him, not having my own righteousness, but the righteousness which is of God , by faith. He had no interest in self righteousness, even relative righteousness. He knew those were dung. He had lived in it. In Romans chapter 10 , Jesus himself was the end of the law unto righteousness. For these certain ones had set about to establish their own righteousness, thus forsaking the righteousness which was by faith, but, Jesus fulfilled the Law. Now it is fulfilled in us, not by us. See Roman’s 8:3:
The conclusion: as did Abraham, man believes with his heart unto righteousness. So says Romans 10:10.
Let’s finish with a word about grace. The man of grace has a king for a friend. He finds grace to help in time of need. His grace is measured by the gift of Christ himself and reigns through righteousness. Romans 5 :21. Grace is the vehicle whereby God expresses his love toward an undeserving generation. It is the commendation of his love. And, accepted, we live to the praise of the glory of his grace. Love ya
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