Jehovah Tsidkenu (The LORD is our righteousnes

(5)          The book of Philippians 3:9-12 says in verse 9. “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 10. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

My own righteousness cannot earn me a divine acceptability as attested to by Romans 8:3, 9:32, 10:3, 4, 5 and Galatians 3:10-13. Romans 8:3 says, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” Galatians 3:11-12, “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12) And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.” James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”  The new birth of a born again righteousness is designed to circumnavigate the merciless law. What serves as its lubrication is the divine grace of the LORD God. “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6).

This is the Church, which includes every born again person.

Our righteousness is of Jesus (Romans 10:4; 1Corinthians 1:29-31; 2Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:16). This Jesus has been our righteousness since the Old Testamentary days. The Book of Jeremiah 23:6 reads, “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Romans 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” It is lucidly not of carnal works but of a believing faith that makes us truly righteous. Amen. 1Corinthians 1:30-31, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

Paul quoted Jeremiah 9:23-24 which reads thus: “23. Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24. But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” Now let us look at some of these words. ‘Glory’ is hâlal (haw-lal’): ‘to be clear (originally of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence to make a show; to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively to celebrate; also to stultify:’ ‘Understandeth’ is the Hebrew śâkal (saw-kal’) ‘to be (causatively make or act) circumspect and hence intelligent.’ ‘Exercise’ is ‛âśâh (aw-saw’) ‘to do, make or create out of existing material.’ Righteousness is a virtue we should be intelligent enough not to make boastful claim of an attainment, knowing fully well that it is solely God’s creation and preserve.

The word ‘righteousness’ in Hebrew is tsdaqah (tsed-aw-kaw’) which means: ‘rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity).’ The Greek rendition is dikaiosune (dik-ai-os-oo’-nay): ‘1. equity (of character or act) 2. (specially) Christian justification.’ If the LORD, Jesus, is our righteousness then it is clear whose moral rectitude, virtue and equity of character we are enjoying. It is by grace lest any should boast!

1Corinthians 1:29, “That no flesh should glory in his presence.” 2Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Galatians 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” The only spiritual toil needed to make us participate in this glorious journey with the most High is the exercise of faith. God has magnanimously made it very easy for us. What a good God we all have to do! He knows that we will never pass the test of the legality of the law, so, He made us His body to enable us to be whatever He is. Hallelujah!

Get born again by praying this prayer with all your heart and truthfully: Dear heavenly Father, I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ. I believe in my heart that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe in my heart that Jesus died for my sins and You raised Him from the dead. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I receive Him as my Lord and my Saviour. I give God all the glory, Amen. 

(…to be continued…)

 Click here to read part IV

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