Blessed Is He That Comes In the Name Of The Lord, Hosanna In The Highest - Part 2563

"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." (Zechariah 12:8-12)

Herein, the Word of the Lord has come unto Zechariah. It is the eighth month, in the second year of Darius. Zechariah is the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet. (Nehemiah 12:4) During this time, the Lord hath been sore displeased with Israel's fathers, and is saying unto them, "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, "Turn ye unto Me," saith the Lord of hosts, "and I will turn unto you," saith the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 1:1-3) 

The warning that is being stated is to "be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, "Thus saith the Lord of hosts: turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings, but they did not hear, nor hearken unto Me, saith the Lord." (Zechariah 1:4) 

Jesus expands on this same message in Matthew 23, when He speaks to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do, but don't ye after their works for they say and do not. For they bind heavy burdens; and are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men; they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments. and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, "Rabbi, Rabbi," but be not ye called Rabbi; for One is you Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren ..." (Matthew 23:1-10) 

Jesus finishes by saying, "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate; for I say unto you, "Ye shall not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say, "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord." (Matthew 23:39; Jeremiah 22:5; Psalm 118:26; Matthew 21:9) 

Jeremiah had earlier prophesied, saying, "But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by Myself," saith the Lord, "that this house shall become a desolation ... I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited .... and many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, "Wherefore hath the Lord done thus unto this great city?" Then they shall answer, "Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them." (Jeremiah 22:1-9) 

Repeatedly, the Israelites were committing this great evil against their souls. "Therefore, now thus saith the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel."(Jeremiah 44:6) Nevertheless, the Lord continued to call His people, pleading with them to "turn ye unto Him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted. For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin." (Isaiah 31:6-7)

And again in Malachi the same invitation. "Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them, "Return unto Me and I will return unto you," saith the Lord of hosts, "but ye said, "Wherein Shall we return?" (Malachi 3:7)

This same compassion for His people and on His dwelling place is expressed in Jeremiah. And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by His messengers ... but they mocked the messengers of God and despised His words, and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy." (II Chronicles 36:15-16)

"That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not heir heart aright and whose spirit was not steadfast with God." (Psalm 78:8)

As we move through these small sampling of scriptures, we see the Lord's mercy and love continually expressed throughout. As the psalmist David asks, "Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favourable no more? Is His mercy clean gone for ever? Does His promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath He in anger shut up His ender mercies?" (Psalm 77:7-9)

Thankfully, we are privileged to know the rest of the story, that the same God who created the world and all its inhabitants, was made flesh and dwelt among us. As John writes, "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11; I Timothy 3:16) 

As a consequence, we too can call to remembrance the song the Lord placed in our heart in the night. We too can remember the works of the Lord, the same God that doest wonders and has declared His strength among the people. Why? Because we know "Thou hast with Thine arm redeemed Thy people." (Psalm 77:15; 11)

We understand that the first commandment -- "Hear O Israel the Lord thy God is One Lord" has not changed, and will not change, because our hearts have come to know personally the God that furnishes a table for His people in the wilderness. The One and Same God that smote the rock, that caused the waters to gush out, and the streams to overflow. And that He can give bread also, and provide flesh for His people. 

But some sinned more against the Most High, provoking Him and speaking against God, because they believed not in God, and trusted not in His salvation -- even when tHe had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them the corn of heaven, until they were full. They believed not for His wondrous works. (Psalm 77:13-24)

And sadly, we see many who say they worship the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength but then refuse to believe that the same God who created them in the beginning would love them enough to shed His precious blood on a cross, beaten and mocked, so that we could have abundant life in Him. 

Why is this? I believe it's because we've allowed our church leaders to divide the One and Only Lord God into three, a multi-headed triad, if you will that has rendered the body of Christ church , His holy people powerless and scattered. (Daniel 12:7) 

But it doesn't need to be this way. Re-read the scriptures above and understand that before God clothed Himself in a sin-prone body (yet without sin), He told us that a day would come when we would "look upon Me whom they have pierced!" (Zechariah 12:8) That the day would come when we would hearken in our hearts to the Lord of hosts, and that when we turned unto the Lord of hosts, He would turn unto us. (Zechariah 1:1-4) 

"Therefore, now thus saith the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel ..." 

Not a God divided into three persons (as the false modern day religious culture would have us believe), but the One Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel who loved His people -- as the apple of His eye. But He won't railroad us into believing in Him, and thus, we see in scriptural example after example, the Israelites going around and around the mountain but never reaching the promised land. 

Let's not find ourselves in the same situation, wherein our hearts strive for the things of this world, and not the Lord God who chooses to love us beyond measure. In this current dispensation of grace, His name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)

Come to Jesus today -- for He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. The Creator of the universe who came down from His glory to redeem His people. 

Stand in the offering plate. 

The Grand Entrance Of God Our Saviour; He Is The Way, The Truth And The Life - Part 2562

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child." (Luke 2:1-5)

As you can see, this marks the beginning of all the world being taxed. This is not to suggest that there wasn't a form of taxing before this point. For example, as we see from II Kings 23:35, Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh, but he taxed the land to give the money, according to the commandment of Pharaoh; he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, and of everyone according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaoh-nechoh."

In Daniel's prophecy for the future, we see a raiser of taxes -- 'Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days, he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle." (Daniel 11:20)

There is a third example -- of Theudas, "boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men (about 400) had joined themselves, was slain and all, as many as obeyed him were scattered. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him, [This man] also perished, and all, even as many as obeyed him were dispersed. And now, I say unto you, "Refrain from these men, and let them alone, for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught." (Acts 5:36-38)

And then we come back to Luke 2, wherein Caesar Augustus made a decree that all the world should be taxed. The taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. Everyone was required to go to their own city. Thus, Joseph and very pregnant Mary went up from Galilee into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem.

Why did Joseph travel to Bethlehem? Because he was of the house and lineage of David. We see this further explained in Acts 1, and the genealogy in Matthew 1:1-16. "So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the carrying away unto Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations." (Matthew 1:16)

We see from Matthew's account that Joseph, being a just man and not wanting to make Mary a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But an angel appeared, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, "for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shalt bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:18-24)

Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:23) 

Therefore, as Matthew relates, "now the birth of Christ was on this wise. When as His mother was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost; and so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:6-7)

From Luke's account, we understand that there were "shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; "Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:8-14)

A couple of points worth noting here. First, the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son. Second, this meant the Holy Ghost was the Father. Third, the angel announced that the Saviour to be born would be Christ the Lord -- a point similarly confirmed by Peter and the apostles in Acts 2:36. Fourth, the heavenly host praised God, saying -- "Glory to God in the highest, ad on earth, peace good will toward men." In other words, God was declaring peace to all the world.

Finally, it is interesting that while God was declaring peace to each and every one of us for the coming new testament side, the worldly system was implementing a burdensome tax system for everyone. In this context, we can see how the Lord God only wants what is best for us, whilst the enemy (satan) remains determined to destroy people through whatever means he can. Remember, Jesus came to set the captive free -- proclaiming liberty to the captives - those who desired to rule as oppressors. (Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1) However, I digress.

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." (Luke 2:15)

Note how the shepherds were so immediately willing to go, because the Lord hath made known the birth of the promised Christ as Saviour unto them. Needless to say, "they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." (Luke 2:16-20)

So, do you think the shepherds were awaiting this good new - as the Lord God had promised from afore the world? Perhaps, there is much more to the shepherds that we haven't considered herein. Most certainly, there were no wise men while Jesus was in the stable. At this point, we know from the scriptures, that Jesus was still an infant, less than 8 days old. His precious , holy name assigned before He was conceived,

"And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, His name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb." (Luke 2:21)

Continuing, "and when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."

It is also important that Jesus had not yet shed His precious, holy blood on the cross, so Mary and Joseph were still under the law. Therefore, there had to be witnesses that would confirm the birth of the prophesied King of kings and Lord of lords. Simeon was first, and then Anna. What did Simeon state?

"Lord, now let thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and the glory of Thy people Israel."

The same message applies to us this day. More to come.


Stand in the offering plate.

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Jesus, The Rock Of Our Salvation' A God Of Truth And Without Iniquity, Just And Right Is He - Part 2561

"There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside Thee: neither [is there] any rock like our God." (I Samuel 2:2)

"He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He." (Deuteronomy 32:4)

"... as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 9:33)

"And He said, "Thou canst not see My face: for there shall no man see Me, and live." And the Lord said, "Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: and it shall come to pass, while My glory passes by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by:" (Exodus 33:20-22)

In referencing the Lord God, the term rock is used often in both the old and new testament. For example, remember Jesus' parable about the wise man building his house upon the Rock? (Matthew 7:24-25; Luke 6:48) Or, as apostle Paul describes, the Rock which followed the Israelites through the Red Sea was Christ? (I Corinthians 10:1-4)

"... and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (I Corinthians 10:4)

Or when Jesus said to build His church upon this Rock (Jesus) and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it? (Matthew 16:18) Indeed, even the sepulchre wherein Jesus was laid after the crucifixion was hewn out of a rock. (Mark 15:46)

In referencing how the seed - the Word of God - is received by believing and unbelieving hearts, Jesus details the parable of the sower, when He said, "They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the Word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away." (Luke 8:6-13)

Indeed, Jesus is the Rock of Salvation. Jesus is both Lord and Christ. Jesus -- the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. He is indeed God our Saviour, wherein after His kindness and love toward man appeared. (Acts 2:36-41; I Timothy 3:16; Matthew 1:21-23; Titus 3:4-7; Revelation 1:8-9; Titus 2:13; Acts 20:28)

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

So the question then is this -- what other God would lead His people out of Egypt, if not Christ Jesus? Is there another Lord who saves His people, besides the same God who created us? Think about this for a moment! Throughout the old testament, there is no question that there is only One God and He is the Lord. Indeed, the first commandment begins by stating, "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord!" (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31)

The psalmist David confirms that God is the Lord, and the Lord is God.

"For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?" (Psalm 18:31)

"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." (Psalm 18:2)

"As for God, His way is perfect: the Word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him." (Psalm 18:30)

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 33:12)

So does the prophet Isaiah, when he writes ""I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me ..." (Isaiah 45:5) (Isaiah. 45:5; Psalm 86:8; (II Samuel 7:22; I Chronicles 17:20)

And as we know, there is no other Lord who saves His people. But as Jude so clearly states, the church has allowed certain men to creep in unawares -- those who don't know the scriptures; individuals set out to deceive those that the Lord has called. Jude writes:

"For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." (Jude 1:4)

Even though the apostles were clear in declaring that this same Jesus was both Lord and Christ, there are those (sadly!) who would rather align with church traditions than submit to the truth. (Acts 2:36)

This same Jesus who clearly stated, "I am/AM the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me!" (John 14:6) 

Does Jesus stop there? Of course not, because He wanted His closest disciples to know who He was. Reading further in John 14, Jesus says ..."Thomas saith unto Him, "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" Jesus saith unto him, "I am/AM the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him. Philip saith unto Him, "Lord, shew us the Father, and it suffices us."

Jesus saith unto him, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, "Shew us the Father?" Believest thou not that I am/AM in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwells in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me that I [am/AM] in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it. If ye love Me, keep my commandments." (John 14:5-15)

You see, while Jesus walked on this earth, He never ceased to tell us who He was. "If I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not. But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in Me, and I in Him." (John 10:37-38)

Again, remember apostle Paul's words in I Corinthians 10:1-4?

"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: AND THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST."

"And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." (Exodus 13:21-22; Exodus 14:19)

The Word of the Lord said to Zechariah -- "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for [his] only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn." (Zechariah 12:8-12)

Indeed the Lord will reign. The Lord God will be King over the whole earth. On that day, there will be (as there always was) one Lord, and His Name the ONLY name. (Zechariah 14:9) And the name above every other name in this current dispensation of grace?

"And ye shall call His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins .. Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23; Philippians 2:9-10; Acts 4:12)

Jesus Christ is THE SAME Yesterday and Today and FOREVER! (Hebrews 13:8; Isaiah 25:1; John 20:28) And this same Jesus is saying to each and every one of us this day ...

"Unto you therefore which believe [He is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the Head of the corner, and a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the Word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light!" (I Peter 2:7-9)

JESUS is the greatest love story ever told. And this same God who willingly became our Saviour (shedding His precious holy blood so that we might have abundant life in Him) looks upon each and every one of us as the apple of His eye. So, don't let another day go by without searching the scriptures for His truth, beginning at the first salvation message preached in the new testament -- found in Acts 2:36-47. 

Indeed, Jesus -- the Way, the Truth and the Life! The King of kings and Lord of lords!

Stand in the offering plate.

Awake To Righteousness, For We Through the Spirit Wait For The Hope Of Righteousness By faith. - Part 2560

"And [Abraham] believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness." (Genesis 15:6)

Jesus said, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6) 

Jesus said, "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20) 

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

" ... for instruction in righteousness." (II Timothy 3:16) 

In the last blog, we learned about apostle Paul's heart desire for Israel -- that they might be saved. This was a critical question -- because even though the Israelites had a zeal for God, their zeal was not according to knowledge. As Paul writes, the Israelites are ignorant of God's righteousness, going about instead, to establish their own righteousness. 

"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 10:1-4)

Paul doesn't just say these things about Israel, but about himself also -- "circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things 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 ..." (Philippians 3:5-9)

What is righteousness?

Paul writes, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes." (Romans 10:5)

Paul further states to the saints in Galatia, "Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." (Galatians 3:20-22)

Note that this is the same message Paul preaches in the epistle to the Romans 10 and 11. 

Perhaps, it's important to note that within the scriptures, there are 291 references to righteousness. For example, when Zacharias (the father of John the baptizer) and full of the Holy Ghost prophesied, he said, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for He hath visited and redeemed His people and hath raised up an hour of salvation for us in the house of His servant David ... "that we .... might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life." (Luke 1:67-75) 

A second example is just before Jesus is crucified. Jesus says to His disciples,  "And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more." (John 16:8-10)

We also know from Acts 13 that the devil is referred to as the enemy of righteousness. "Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, and said, "O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season." And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand." (Acts 13:9-11)

When Paul reasoned righteousness, temperance and judgment with Felix, we know that Felix trembled. (Acts 24:25) We know from Peter that God is not a respecter of persons, and that every nation that works righteousness and fears Him shall be accepted with Him. (Acts 10:34-36)

"But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord." (I Corinthians 1:30-31)

We also learn that our salvation is not of works. "... not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" (Titus 3:5)

So should we ask? Who is He who according to His own mercy and grace, chose to save us? Yes, that's right -- "and ye shall call His name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21-23) 

"... who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (I Peter 2:24) "But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled!" (I Peter 3:14)

Similarly, we know that there is fruit which comes forth from righteousness. "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." (James 3:18) And historic too - since Noah is cited as being a preacher to the world. (II Peter 2:5) 

We also come to the understanding that righteousness is pivotal (a criteria?) as we see in I John.

"If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that does righteousness is born of Him." (I John 2:29) "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous." (I John 3:7) "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother." (I John 3:10) 

The bride -- also known as the body of Christ church -- will be arrayed in clean, white fine linen, "for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." (Revelation 19:8) 

Further, those who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith, have their loins girded with truth, wearing the breastplate of righteousness. (Ephesians 6:14) But for those who do not, Jesus said, "For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him." (Matthew 21:32)

Getting back to Romans 11, Paul writes, "For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which does those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in thine heart, "Who shall ascend into heaven?" (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, "Who shall descend into the deep?" (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

For the scripture saith, "Whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things."

Therefore, as we begin to investigate righteousness, as it is applied in these last days, strive to preach the gospel of peace, and continue to bring glad tidings of good things. There's much more to come on this topic. But for now, stand in the offering plate. 

Betrothed Forever In Righteousness; Judgment; Loving Kindness; Mercies; And In Faithfulness - Part 2559

" ... the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints ...." (Ephesians 1:18)

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ -- called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God (by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name) is writing to all that be in Rome - those who are the beloved of God, called to be saints. (Romans 1:1-7)

Paul does not want them to be ignorant of the good news gospel of Jesus Christ - for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek -- for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith!" (Romans 1:16-17)

"Among whom ye are also the called of Jesus Christ!" (Romans 1:6) 

Throughout, apostle Paul has repeatedly written of his heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel -- that they might be saved. While he bears record that they have a zeal for God, Paul is clear that their zeal is 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 10:3) 

Remember, Paul's starting point -- therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith. 

In Romans 3, Paul shows us how the Lord has levelled the playing field -- that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin. As it is written, "There is none righteous, no not one." (Romans 3:9-10) But he does not stop there. Paul continues -- "there is none that understands, there is none that seek after God. They are all gone out of the way; they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good - no, not one." (Romans 3:9-11)  Indeed, all the world hath become guilty before God. (Romans 3:19) 

By the law came the knowledge of sin. The schoolmaster which should point us to Jesus the Christ. 

"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference for all have sin and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:21-23) 

If Paul had concluded there, we would have no hope. But he did not. 

"Being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus - whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood; to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God, to declare, that He might be just and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus." (Romans 3:24-26)

We are saved by the law of faith. (Romans 3:27) 

"Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also -- seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law." (Romans 3:28-310

In other words, when God willingly became our Saviour, He levelled the playing field between the Israelites and the Gentiles. He made it so that we are all under sin. That none of us are righteous -- no not one! All this so that He could bring salvation to all those who believe in Him -- Jesus. 

This is the good news gospel message -- that we all come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Come to Jesus today! 

Read Acts 2:36-41. Stand in the offering plate.