Category: God’s righteousness

The Blessedness of Forgiveness #1

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:6-8 KJV).

What is this “blessedness?” How can we have it?

Read today’s Scripture in context: “[1] What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? [2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. [3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. [4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. [6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, [7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. [9] Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.”

Under no circumstances could Abraham ever boast before God, for he was not justified by works. He was not made right in God’s sight by keeping rules and regulations. Instead, the Book of Genesis reports: “And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted [reckoned, credited, considered] it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:3-6). Abraham just trusted God’s words to him, and God regarded Abraham as meeting God’s standard of rightness….

A Lost Love #8

Thursday, July 27, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

As Saul of Tarsus back in Acts chapter 9, the Apostle Paul met the Saviour Jesus Christ face-to-face. This was when he came to understand just how misinformed—just how lost—he really was. His righteousness meant nothing before God, so he was actually headed for Hell quite smug in his “goodness.” He was not good enough to merit Heaven, and he finally swallowed his religious pride. What mattered in eternity was God’s perfect righteousness available only by faith in Jesus Christ. If necessary, re-read Paul’s testimony in Philippians 3:1-11.

In today’s Scripture, Paul has been saved for roughly 25 years (internal evidence suggests he wrote Romans during the opening verses of Acts chapter 20). Ever since chapter 9 of Acts, he has been meeting and preaching to lost Jews in synagogues scattered throughout the Mediterranean world. These are the very people of today’s Scripture, who, like he as Saul of Tarsus had been, are satisfied in their works-religion (Judaism). “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3).

Re-read Romans 9:1-3. Paul felt sorry for self-righteous Israel, and he so was troubled for lost Israel, but it was neither sadness nor anger (emotions) that made him preach the Gospel of Grace to them. It was his renewed mind, his admittance that the Bible was right, that caused him to share his Saviour with them. No matter how “good” they were in religion, regardless of how hard they tried to be godly, they could never save themselves from their sins because they were not perfect. Still, their hearts had deceived them, and, as they heard the Gospel of Grace from Paul’s very lips, they shut their eyes and ears to the truth so as to keep (emotionally) clinging to their vain religious system all the more….

A Lost Love #7

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

Instead of spite (negative emotions) or “warm fuzzy feelings” (positive emotions), what stimulated Paul to conduct his ministry was sound Bible doctrine he believed in his heart or soul. Here are some facts that constituted his renewed mind. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his [God’s] sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). No matter how “good” someone’s religious performance appeared, the Law of Moses pronounced that person to be a sinner who fell short of God’s glory (verse 23). Sinners cannot reach that perfect standard of all that God is (everything He believes and does).

Consequently, every sinner has innately and automatically merited the following penalty: “…unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, [God will render to them; verse 6] indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;…” (Romans 2:8,9). This is man’s nature and destiny. His feeble efforts in religion (good works) indeed “clean up” the outward to some extent, creating an existence that imitates God’s life. Alas, his nature or inward makeup is unchanged. He is still dead in his trespasses and sins, separated from God’s life. As Saul of Tarsus in Judaism, the Apostle Paul knew all about this firsthand. Read Philippians 3:1-11.

Verses 7-9: “But what things [religious works] were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:….”

In today’s Scripture, Paul wanted lost Israel to learn this….

A Lost Love #5

Monday, July 24, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

Consider how emotions can deceive Christians serving in ministry. For instance, the concept of an eternal Devil’s Hell might be deliberately omitted from “Gospel conversations/presentations.” Raw emotions lead these church members to suppose “no loving God would ever send people to such a horrible place!” Or, if they have loved ones depending on their religious performance to get into Heaven, they will not bother to share the Gospel of Grace at all, preferring to assume everyone will enter Heaven eventually. They care not to think their loved ones are on their smug way to everlasting punishment (where God’s justice will enforce His offended righteousness by punishing their self-righteousness). This is why and how the Gospel of the Grace of God is repeatedly compromised in denominational circles. It is not completely denied, just softened so it is not offensive. Or, the Christian might try to force a pure Gospel onto a person who has vehemently expressed no interest in believing. Emotions pronounce, “Keep talking, no matter how infuriated they get!”

Lost people have emotional attachments to their works-religions. For example, a loved one likely introduced them to that system, so to abandon it equates to disrespecting that person. It has been stated, “I will die a member of the religion of mom and dad.” They cannot bring themselves to admit the possibility their parents may have been wrong and deceased loved ones are actually in Hell right now. Furthermore, the error possibly stretches back centuries—many generations of one family, putting great pressure on the individual to shun Bible truth. To trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone might mean being barred from estate proceeds, social functions, and many other misfortunes. “I am doing the best I can, and I think I will make it into Heaven,” is nothing but their emotional seat trying to justify why they are in their spiritual position.

Instead of subjectivism, we need objectivism….

A Lost Love #4

Sunday, July 23, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

Dear friends, we must constantly (!!) be on guard against emotional revolt, making sure our emotions do not dictate to us what we should think or do. Emotions are deceptive, so if we allow them to control us, we will live in a fantasy world as opposed to reality. For example, remember when you watched a television show or movie. Depending on the actions you saw and the dialogue you heard, you moved from feeling anger to feeling sadness to feeling happiness to feeling peaceful to feeling distressed. People sob as they observe the tragic scenes, leap for joy when they see the pleasant situations, and scowl when they view the frustrating scenes. Of course, what they are watching is all make-believe—but it “feels” real, it “seems” real, because dominating emotions have no thinking process attached to them. Emotions are stupid or brainless. How can we ever expect our lives to function if we rely on this foundation of sand? It literally does not make sense.

The Bible tells the truth: sin forever changed human makeup. If we doubt this, we just need to look around at society and agree with the Scriptures. When Adam and Eve rebelled against the LORD God, human nature was significantly altered. Spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional modifications were introduced—and they are passed down from Adam to each and every successive generation. The key to solving all these problems is not therapy sessions with a “positive thinker,” endless drug usage, alcoholic beverages, or any of the other “solutions” man has developed to cope with his symptoms (minor) instead of addressing his sickness (major). The disease is sin, and it afflicts Christians and non-Christians alike. Christians conducting ministry based on emotions are on dangerous ground, and the non-Christians they are trying to reach are in an equally perilous condition. Let us see how the renewed mind remedies the matter for both parties….

A Lost Love #3

Saturday, July 22, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

“And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled [was amazed!] because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching” (Mark 6:1-6; cf. Matthew 13:53-58).

In the above passage, we gather how the Lord Jesus’ own family, friends, and neighbors were in unbelief—the very people who had grown up with Him in Nazareth for 20 years. Additionally, even His half-siblings (four younger brothers [named above] and at least two younger sisters [unnamed]) through His mother Mary were in unbelief. “For neither did his brethren believe in him” (John 7:5). One brother, James, became a believer at some later time, possibly because of Christ’s resurrection (Galatians 1:19; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:7).

As it did Paul in today’s Scripture, so it deeply grieved the Lord’s heart that His people could have no faith in God’s words to them—even after the overwhelming proof they heard and saw. It was not an evidence problem, but a heart problem that caused them not to believe. These lost loves we ourselves (literally) know all too well….

A Lost Love #2

Friday, July 21, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

Ministry is not easy—especially when dealing with loved ones, the people we know quite well, those with whom we come into contact often. It should concern us when we learn they have no personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. They may be religious, faithfully attend church, pray frequently, talk about “God,” and read “holy books,” but they are without forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and righteousness. We want so desperately to warn them of the perilous fate that awaits them. How we try to reason with them of their need of Christ’s finished crosswork as a fully-satisfying payment for sins. Yet, they are comfortable where they are. They will not believe the Gospel of Grace in their heart. “Leave me alone. I am ‘good enough, I ‘keep the Law,’ I am doing the best I can, I will never forsake my denomination/religion,” and on and on and on and on they go with their flimsy excuses as to why faith in Jesus Christ alone is not their preference.

When the Apostle Paul ministered to unsaved Jews in synagogues throughout the Roman Empire, he encountered these sorts of people by the thousands. Read today’s Scripture in context: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:1-3). Zealous, religious, passionate, devout, enthusiastic, pious, fervent, sincere—but lost as lost could be! Billions of souls today fall into such a category, and, whether we know it or not, we meet them on a daily basis. They sit in our church buildings, labor in our workplaces, sit in our classrooms, live in our neighborhoods, shop in our stores, and perhaps stay in our homes (!)….

Solomon and Jesus #10

Friday, July 14, 2023

“And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:12,13 KJV).

Let us search the Scriptures to see how Solomon is a type of the antitype Jesus….

When David aimed to build a temple for the LORD in Jerusalem (the context of today’s Scripture), the LORD strictly prohibited it. David thus spoke in 1 Chronicles 22:8-10: “But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.”

Eventually, God’s promised son to King David was born: “And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him” (2 Samuel 12:24). The Hebrew name “Solomon” means “peaceable,” derived from “shalom” (“peace”). One of the most striking attributes of King Solomon’s rule is that of cessation of war, exactly as the LORD foretold: “For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely…” (1 Kings 4:24,25).

Upon further Bible study, we discover how Solomon’s peaceful kingdom is a prophecy of the Lord Jesus’ tranquil rule in the same land of Palestine (and beyond) thousands of years later….

Solomon and Jesus #9

Thursday, July 13, 2023

“And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:12,13 KJV).

Let us search the Scriptures to see how Solomon is a type of the antitype Jesus….

The Book of Proverbs is God’s insight written through King Solomon (see Proverbs 1:1-6). As prudent Solomon governed Israel, so another wise and virtuous son of David will arise to reign. This is Messiah/Christ Jesus, fully capable of leading the Jewish people as their King throughout the endless ages to come. Also note how Christ’s occupation of David’s throne will embody justice and righteousness (Psalm 45:6,7; Hebrews 1:8,9)—exactly as Solomon’s rule did in 1 Kings 3:16-28.

“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse [David’s father], and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins” (Isaiah 11:1-5).

In addition to wisdom, God also gave Solomon great material riches and honor (1 Kings 3:13). Read 1 Kings 4:20-28. “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon” (verse 25). This prosperity of individuals points toward the Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly reign yet future from us (Micah 4:4; Zechariah 3:10). Solomon symbolizes Jesus in even more ways….

Liberated to Serve

Tuesday, July 4, 2023 🇺🇸

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13 KJV).

Today, as we in the United States celebrate the 247th anniversary of our nation’s independence, we invite our Christian brethren worldwide to rejoice with us concerning our freedom in Jesus Christ.

When we proclaim Romans 6:14—“Ye are not under the law, but under grace”—people tend to assume “loose living.” Does “grace living” really mean we can now live any way we want? Lest anyone be misled in that regard, God the Holy Spirit moved the Apostle Paul to write in the next verse, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid [May God never let that happen!]” (Romans 6:15). Grace living is not Law-keeping, but it certainly is not Law-breaking either.

God still cares how we live, albeit He is not operating the “weak and beggarly” system of “bondage” (Law) that He once did with Israel (Galatians 4:9). God proved to the entire world that since Israel could not keep His commandments perfectly, no other sons of Adam (the Gentiles) could either: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them [Israel] who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world [Gentiles] may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19).

We sinners cannot keep the Law. However, God in His grace provided us a way to escape that condemnation by sending Jesus Christ to offer Himself on Calvary’s cruel cross to pay for our sins. By simple faith in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as the fully-satisfying payment for our sins, we can now be “made the righteousness of God in [Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21). We can be delivered from the penalty of sin (hell and the lake of fire) and the power of sin (flesh-walking).

Why are we Christians free? To selfishly live any way we want? NO! Today’s Scripture says we are liberated to now serve others, especially our Christian brethren, just as Jesus Christ selflessly served His Father and selflessly died on our behalf. That is grace living!!!!

Please see our 2011 Fourth of July Bible study “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land,” which can be watched here or read here.