BY EDWARD O’HARA
Coming off of our weeks long series charting God’s plan of salvation we have learned that there is one main issue that has to be dealt with for salvation. And since this video channel/blog has as its main focus what it means to be saved. As well as what it is that saves a man. Our focus turns to righteousness. What it is and what it isn’t.
In Rom.4 Paul showed the picture of righteousness for eternal life to be that which is attained by believing without works. He said, “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.”
I have shared much on this topic in past messages. But, this time I want to bring special attention to its role in our salvation. How God “justifies the ungodly”. After all, we see in the Old Testament much about how Israel went about trying to attain their own righteousness don’t we? And Isaiah saying that this pursuit was for a righteousness that when examined was nothing but “filthy rags”.
Not because they did not do exactly what the law told them to do. Many of them were. Their righteousness’ were as filthy rags because they trusted in a righteousness that was made from their doing exactly what the law demanded.
Paul shows us here why we must be careful that we do not attribute works in any way done by anyone to what it is that makes us righteous unto eternal life. And that if we do what it gains for us will be reward, not the gift that is eternal life.
There are several kinds of righteousness’ described in the Bible. We see examples of these in Isaiah64, Rom.3, Gal.2, and Rom.7. But, only one of them brings life. And there are many ways men mix and match among these righteousness’ that muddy and make of none effect the singular righteousness that leads to life.
In doing this it causes a man to apply a combination of these for his understanding of what it means to be saved. And how he is saved in the first place. A mistake that could cost a man to miss salvation all together. While thinking he has made it his singular pursuit.
This is why so many who do not know Jesus when asked whether they believe they will get into heaven answer yes because I am a good person and try to keep the commandments.
This is the subtlety of the serpent spoken of in Genesis 3:1 that says, “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.” It is this subtlety that we as believers must be aware of and avoid as we search the scriptures for understanding.
This is why Pro.3:13-19 says, “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.”
These are all true because being able to see the serpent’s subtlety when it happens, especially when it comes to the righteousness unto eternal life, is a gift attained through wisdom and understanding only a true believer in Jesus has. And is what secures for us our place in God’s kingdom. As well as the life we live as believers while here on the earth.
A life all men have been offered as a gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. Meaning that if you will believe in Jesus without any works being done on anyone’s part to attain it. You will be righteous unto eternal life. Because this righteousness is made of our relationship with Jesus. And in the next few weeks we will look further at this premise.
But, for now if you will be made a child of God and heir to His kingdom. You must confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus. And believe in your heart that He has raised from the dead. Because only by this can you be joined to Jesus.
If you will do this… then I will see you there or in the air!
This message can also be heard at: https://rumble.com/v7gc67w-disgustingly-filthy-rags-or-robes-of-white-righteousness-intro-rom.4.html
