In Jesus we become the righteousness of God (2Cor. 5:21)

(Continued from part two…)

3)            “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness” [Romans 6:19]. The word ‘yield’ is paristemi (par-is’-tay-mee) (or prolonged paristano par-is-tan’-o): ‘1. to stand beside 2. (transitively) to exhibit, proffer 3. (specially) recommend 4. (figuratively) substantiate 5. (intransitively) to be at hand (or ready), aid.’ Righteousness is truly an exhibitory stand that substantiates your new life as a born again child of the Almighty. You are already saved. What is expected is your Godly exhibited stance. The ‘righteousness’ here is dikaiosunē and the ‘holiness’ is hagiasmos (hag-ee-as-mos’) defined by Thayer Definition as: ‘consecration, purification; the effect of consecration; sanctification of heart and life.’

                It is not our righteousness, as the Bible instructs in Ephesians 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true.” The verb ‘put on’ is enduo (en-doo’-o) ‘to invest with clothing.’ The adjective ‘new’ is kainos (kai-nos’) ‘new (especially in freshness);’ and ‘create’ is ktizo (ktid’-zo) ‘to fabricate, i.e. found (form originally).’ Righteousness is a toga, a state of being, as a matter of fact. It is a toga that remains ever fresh all because the eternal LORD keeps it an eternal reality. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” The truth is that one cannot hunger after these virtues without being born again.

“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” [2Peter 3:13]. Whose righteousness? God’s, of course! The word ‘dwelleth’ is the Greek katoikeo (kat-oi-ke’-ō): ‘to house permanently, i.e. reside.’ An inherent permanence of righteousness does not mark the ways of the present progenies of Adam. It was lost in Eden. If man, through the spiritual rejuvenation, finds in the soteriological package a Godly righteousness, it is most definitely, of the finished work of the Author of salvation -Jesus Christ. In the next 14^th verse of 2Peter chapter 3, the writer mentions ‘without spot and blameless.’  

Someone may ask what it means to be ‘without spot and blameless,’ and whether it implies the loss of heavenly citizenry or not. It does not. Spots and blames rob one of crowns in heaven. 1Corinthians 3:12-15, “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13) Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14) If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15) If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

                The righteous walk receives the crowns of gold, silver or precious stones; while that of unrighteousness is reduced to worthless ashes of the hay, wood and stubble. Verse 15 intimates of a loss and that nevertheless his salvation is a surety. It is a gift. The word of God says, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29). ‘Gifts’ is charisma (khar’-is-mah) ‘1. a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion) 2. (specially), a (spiritual) endowment 3. (subjectively) religious qualification 4. (objectively) miraculous faculty.’ The abstract ‘calling’ is klesis (klay`-sis) 1. a calling 2. (specially) a divine calling 3. (figuratively) an invitation 4. (by extension) a name.’

The adjective ametameletos (am-et-am-el’-ay-tos) is the Greek for ‘without repentance,’ meaning: ‘irrevocable.’ Soteriology is firmly fashioned in absolute security, courtesy of Divine protocol. Apostles, pastors, evangelists, teachers (of the word) and prophets are called forever. I cannot read of any man of God who retired out of old age. When the Nigerian government tried to make an incursion into the ecumenism, it was Pastor E.A. Adeboye, head of the RCCG that unfortunately succumbed to that pressure by someone who (unfortunately still, a pastor of RCCG) that tried to enforce the ungodly incursion. In the same vain, an unregenerated soul, heeding the call to become a Christian, can never lose this new status of Divine Paternity of the Most High Jehovah. Amen!

THIS IS CHRISTIANITY. JESUS DIED TO BRING IT INTO REALITY.

                You can put on the righteousness of Jesus by getting born again. Say this simple prayer, meaning it from your heart:

“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 that Jesus died on the cross for my sin. I believe that You raised Him from the dead. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and I receive Him now as my Lord and my Saviour. I give God all the glory. Amen!”     

  (…to be continued…)

Read the 2nd part here

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