Scripture
But now [apart from the Law] the righteousness of God has been manifested…the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
~Romans 3:21-22, NLT
Quote
There is no greater arrogance than not to desire to be justified by faith in Christ.
~Martin Luther
The scribes and pharisees of Jesus day represented the moralist, the do-gooders of society. They did their best to practice the law of Moses and were very devoted to their religion. It is very likely that they understood that man by nature is unrighteous and prone to sin but they were pleased with their own righteousness and rejected the righteousness of Christ. The greatest virtue in the Kingdom of God is humility. This is why Jesus began with “blessed are the poor in spirit.” Humility is basic to everything we do in the kingdom–Missions, evangelism, ministry–every thing is to be done in humility. The law was given to show us how far short we fall of perfection or righteousness. Augustine said, “The law was given that we might seek grace: grace was given that we might fulfill the law.” When man goes about to establish his own righteous by law keeping, morality or religious observance, he produces a righteousness that is saturated with pride and vain glory–the very opposite of what God desires. Man’s righteousness is not really righteousness at all; at best it is self-righteousness and is always filled with pride. This pride produces contempt for others so that they who practice the law apart from grace have no love or compassion for others. This is why Jesus got angry with the Jews in the synagogue when he healed the man with a withered hand. Mark records, “After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart.” These were moral people who kept the law {externally} but they had zero compassion on others.
The next time you read through the book of Romans, highlight the phrase “righteousness of God.” Your find it three times in chapter three and nine times in the book of Romans. Luther tried desperately to gain peace by being righteous a part from grace. He was liberated from this terrible and dreadful bondage when he realized the bible was talking about God’s righteousness not mans. It is an imputed righteousness that comes by grace when we trust Christ as Savior and LORD. You will never make yourself righteous, not truly righteous but Jesus can. He can make you a disciple, a fisher of men, and He can and is making you holy. The only thing we have to glory in when we stand before God is Jesus who is our righteousness, wisdom, peace, hope and salvation. It is enough to make an Episcopalian shout. Religion is spelled “Do”…what I must do…but Christianity is spelled “Done”…what Jesus has already done. It is not what you do that you glory in; it is in what Jesus has done for you. It will make a world of difference if you get this right.
Got an email yesterday telling me some unhinged liberal democrat wants all the statues of Jesus taken down. He said Jesus was a racist. This people are idiots, blooming idiots. Jesus was a Jew, not a white European. According to these folks, all white males, other than those aligned with them, are white supremacist. I for one am sick of hearing it. Hey, there is a Confederate Memorial, statues and all, off of 278 in Winston, County. I dare them to try to take those statues down.
Got to have a good visit with Bill Smith yesterday and LORD willing, headed that way in an hour or so. Pray for Bill and his family.
Hope you have a great weekend and thanks for reading the blog.