Righteousness Rewarded

“⁸Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)

Paul was the LORD’s great evangelist. He did not work of God without concern for himself as was evident by the amount of time he was imprisoned and also executed for that work. He only looked forward to His time in heaven and knew that God appreciated his work and would recognize him for it when he arrived in heaven.

I know, I have been saying that we are not given the right to declare ourselves righteous, and yet here is Paul indicating that he would receive the “crown of righteousness”. How can he declare it so? Well, he is not. Paul knows the work that he has done and the dedication to the LORD he has and therefore is declaring that as God sees it He will declare it so. Paul was not doing the work to get the reward, he was doing the work as he had already been rewarded.

Paul knew that the chains of persecution would be coming off. They were there due to his dedication to the LORD. He was well aware of the way to have them removed in this world, and yet he persisted with his love and dedication and work to God. Paul worked for the LORD all the way to his death and never gave in to the world.

I wonder if I have dedicated myself to the LORD as Paul did. I know that I have not endured the same type of persecution as Paul, although it does still exist. I wonder if I am and will be dedicated to the work to my death and never give in to the world.

I can only do the work that God gives to me. I may not be traveling the world to spread the gospel, but I can do so here where I am. Our church mission is to have “A gospel movement that reaches every person in the hill country and is carried to the ends of the earth.” And from this I get that my role is to reach everyone I can where I am. I will have the chance to reach the one to carry it forward, I am to be focused on the work here where I am.

Yes, because of this medium my evangelism may reach you where you are. I am grateful for the chance to share with each of you. I am focused on my study of God’s Word and declaring my thoughts. In this world today, that affords me the chance to get those thoughts to the world. This is me doing the work where I am. This is me reaching you who has the chance to carry the gospel where you are. I know that not everyone is next door to me and that some are being reached all over the globe. To you I say spread the gospel where you are.

My actions will be rewarded by the LORD. I will be awarded that which He declares. I can only do the work here and know that I have done that work and rely on God to see and recognize as He sees fit when I arrive in heaven.

What work are you doing? Are you giving in to the world? What if you were to just do the work, knowing that you will be recognized and awarded for that work when you arrive in heaven?

Steadfast and Faithful, Evidence of Righteousness

“⁴Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. ⁵This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering” – 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (ESV)

The people of the church of the Thessalonians were sticking to the LORD. These people were under persecution for their following of Christ and Paul was fast to recognize it. He wanted them to know that they were not unnoticed. They were recognized to be righteous in their actions and their faith.

I know, I am reading into things a bit here as the righteous reference was to the judgment of God. I will not claim to know that the people were righteous. I simply see that their acts of faith and steadfastness are evidence of righteousness. They held to the LORD under all sorts of persecution and affliction and suffering. And, as you read on further in the passage, they are rewarded for it with the destruction of those persecuting them. Yet, they do not follow the LORD for their persecutors to be destroyed, they follow Him for the reward of heaven and communion with Him.

I have to let this be a lesson to me. I have to love the LORD and do His work, not for what I would receive here in this world, but it is what I am to do thanks to the grace He afforded me through His death. I have to give evidence to the LORD for his declaration of righteousness. I have to be steadfast and faithful through all, the good times and the persecution. The LORD will see my dedication to Him and ensure that I am given relief. He will judge my actions according to my heart. I will be rewarded with glory in heaven.

What evidence do you present of your dedication to the LORD? Are you hoping that you have taken a few actions to show it? What if you were steadfast and faithful always as your evidence of righteousness to the LORD?

Have Righteous Conduct

Again, I remind that we cannot declare ourselves righteous, that is left solely up to God. I can only take actions that are righteous and in line with the example that Christ has provided for me. In taking those actions, I have to also remember to conduct myself as Jesus would have during His time in this world.

“¹⁰You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. ¹¹For you know how, like a father with his children, ¹²we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:10 – 12 (ESV)

Paul and his team were not just representatives of Christ as they worked with the church at Thessalonica, they did so in such a way as to be full examples of Christ. They were righteous and blameless in their actions and conduct. They were respectful and caring and encouraging along the way.

How often have we seen when there is help being provided that the attitude of the helpers is one of authority and matter of fact, and less about just being helpful. Paul was sure to not take on that approach here. He was gracious and did not expect some sort of return from the people. He was only there to lend a hand and guide them in their faith. Yes, there were likely challenging conversations and correcting, yet they were done in love and always in the name and manner of the LORD. As such, Paul and those with him were “holy and righteous and blameless” in their conduct.

Now for me. I have to remember that I am not all knowing, that is left to God. I have to remember to be righteous in my actions which should go without saying. But, I also have to be righteous in my conduct. Like Paul, I have to be respectful and caring and encouraging as I am taking righteous actions. I cannot be the authoritarian with the idea that I am somehow more holy than anyone else. The reality is that I too am a sinner and in need of caring and encouragement. I have to remember the why behind my actions, to bring the gospel to all I encounter and provide love to them in the process. Action without the proper attitude is not helpful. It is important that I am coming from the example of Christ and provide the conduct befitting of Him.

What is your approach to spreading the gospel? Are you the authoritarian bringing the boom to the sinners? What if you approached your actions as Christ, “holy and righteous and blameless” in your conduct as you are caring and encouraging with your actions?

Righteous by Faith

How many of us are out there waiting to be told what direction to go and what to do? I know that is a common thing in the world. It seems as though there is minimal knowing what to do and lots of doing what told to do.

“¹¹Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’ ¹²But the law is not of faith, rather ‘The one who does them shall live by them.’” – Galatians 3:11-12 (ESV)

Paul is writing to the church at Galatia and explaining to them that we should not rely on the law to keep us going in the right direction. You can see in verse 12 above that when relying on the law, one is slave to the law. One is unable to move forward unless there is a law or decree or word that tells them. It requires obedience to the law to follow the law. One cannot be focused on the law and being guided by it and still follow the LORD and being guided by Him.

Yes, I know that the basis of the law is in the idea of doing right. But, right as to who says. Where the law allows for something, say squatting in a property and taking ownership, that does not make it right under the LORD. The law is not inherently bad or good, it is set up to benefit those who have generated it.

One should be faithful to the LORD and not the law. When we are, we will be on the side of right, without relying on the law. Squatting in a property is not inherently good or bad. Where one may be able to borrow a property for a short time, once the owner returns, that property is theirs because it is right. The squatter was simply borrowing while unused. It is in the LORD that caring for others in their time of need is allowed, and allowing for someone to borrow property is in the LORD.

It is not under the law that we are following the law. It is through faith in the LORD. We are doing good, not as the law instructs through dos and don’ts, it is as we follow the LORD and have faith in His divine work and care for us and those in need. We are an extension of Him in this world as we do the work He has for us. All that we know and do as relates to the work of the LORD is found in His Word and as such, we know all we need to know about the law.

I personally find it exhausting reviewing each and every word of the law or the rules in order to function. Trying to keep up with them does nothing but create more and more confusion and anxiety as I try to keep every rule in all situations. I choose to relieve myself of the confusion, anxiety, and exhaustion by doing what is right by way of the LORD. When I do, I am able to simply move through this world knowing that I have pleased the LORD and as a follow of Him, I have done that which is important and allow myself the chance to be counted as righteous.

What is your approach to being righteous? Are you seeking to follow all the laws and that will get it done? What if you were to follow the LORD and were okay with just doing as He commands, allowing Him the opportunity to declare you as righteous?

Thanks to Jesus the Law is Righteous

I should finish with “in us”. God’s Law is righteous as it comes from Him. It is our now new understanding of what His Law provides that we now sin. It is Jesus, who was sent to die for our sin that brings God’s Law back to righteousness in us.

“³For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” – Romans 8:3-4 (ESV)

I need help each day with my sin. I am predisposed to sinning and “NEED” help with it. I know God’s Law as I read and study each day to ensure of it. But, as noted, knowing the law only drives me to sin. I ask God each day to help me with my sin. I as for His guiding hand through my day to keep me busy with His work so that I can avoid the sin that is surely to come.

I do not have it in my own self to avoid sin. Sin I of the flesh and I am of the flesh. Thanks be to Jesus for taking my sin. Thanks be to Him for giving me the chance to avoid sin. Thanks to Jesus, I have the Word of God to keep me looking to Him that I might be able to avoid the sin. Thanks be to the LORD for providing the Holy Spirit to walk with me.

The Law of God is righteous yet, as I am of the flesh there was a need for the Law to be shown as righteous to me. Jesus was sent to do just that. He took my sin and offered me grace. The Law was demonstrated to be righteous through His actions. As such, I was brought to the righteousness of the Law so that I could use it as the guide it is.

Where do you attribute the righteousness in the Law of God? Are you looking to yourself to avoid sin? What if you were to recognize that the Law of God is righteous thanks to Jesus and you can use it to guide you to avoid sin?

The Law is Righteous

I have to be speaking of the Law of God, right? I am of course, although as I was reading and working to understand my reading this morning, I was no so sure at the start. I was seeing things through the lens of man and not of God.

You see, sin cannot take hold of one if sin is not understood to be sin. Think about small children and the grocery store. The children will reach out and grab things from the shelf and unknowingly the adult leaves the store and the child will therefore have “stolen” the item. The child is not a sinner, as there was not an understanding that the sin had occurred. And in the animal kingdom, killing is a part of the circle of life and is not considered sin. In each of the above circumstances, for me if I were to commit either of those, I would have sinned. And so, the law of God was introduced through Moses to call out the sin and define it for you and me.

“¹²So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” – Romans 7:12 (ESV)

The law of God is holy, and righteous, and good. The LORD would not have introduced them if they were not. The Ten Commandments that are referenced here by Paul were given to the people to deter them from sin. They are for our benefit to keep us on the path to righteousness. They are good and fair and healthy to uphold.

Paul specifically refers to the commandment related to covetousness. We are not to covet that which is not ours. If the commandment had not been introduced, then we would not know that covetousness is even something to be concerned with. I can see something and believe in its goodness and want to have something like it, but now, I know that I should not want that thing exactly. And there is the conflict with my heart and in my body. The commandment is there to let me know it is not right, yet all I can think of is how I want it.

The law is in place to guide and are put in place with all good intention by the one who placed it there. Regardless of where the law comes from, it was enacted with the right intention at the time and for the one who enacted. The thing is that laws of man are of the flesh and the Law of God is of the heart. God’s Law is for all and man’s law is for the one. Therefore, God’s Law is righteous. Man’s law may come from righteous thought and/or action, yet they are generally directed at a select situation and not for all.

I have to do things according to God’s Law to ensure that I am taking actions that are righteous. I know that there are others in this world with more than I have and to remember the commandment of covetousness and know that it is okay to want to have things like that, yet I have to avoid wanting what they have.

What is your view of the law? Are they there for you to do with what you please? What if you viewed the Law of God as righteous and for everyone as a guide through this world?

Righteous Multiplied Through Christ

There were righteous men before Jesus came and died for our sins. Noah, Moses, and David were of those men to name a few. Yet even as there were righteous, there were many more sinners during that same time. It was not until the coming of Jesus and His death for our sin that that the righteous were multiplied.

“¹⁹For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” – Romans 5:19 (ESV)

Adam’s disobedience flung us all into sin. We stayed there even as God was there. Those who fell into the ways of sin were dealt with accordingly. And those who followed God, were given life eternal. So it was with Noah and Moses and David. As they accepted and followed God, they were spared in their righteousness.

Once Jesus came on the scene, things changed. At His presence, many more were given the opportunity to follow Him. Many more came to know Him. Many more were declared righteous. Through His time in this world, Jesus brought many to know Him and would thereby be declared righteous, but in life, His reach was limited to some degree. Yes, when you met or heard Jesus speak, you were moved. And yes, you accepted Him as the Messiah. Yet, He would only be here for a short period preaching and teaching and reaching the people.

Now came the death of Jesus on the cross as He accepted the sins I had and will commit. He accepted the sins of all, yes all in death. Those there in the time and those who would come. All of the sin was accounted for in His death. As such, many more would know Him and be moved, accept Him as the Messiah and yes, be declared righteous.

Adam sinned and the rest of us followed, save for a few. Jesus came and those few were multiplied through His life, death, and resurrection. I now can be counted righteous by God as He sees the obedience in my heart and the action in my hands.

Righteousness is not something that I can achieve on my own. I am a sinner thanks to Adam’s disobedience. God, through His love, provided a way out of sin for me. He sent His son Jesus to take my sin upon Himself and give me the chance to become righteous. I can get there thanks to the multiplication provided by Jesus life, death, and resurrection and His unconditional love for me.

What is your view of how you receive righteousness? Are you in receipt thanks to your being here? What if you were to see the reason for your chance at being declared righteous a result of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?

Jesus Died for Sinners Not the Righteous

I recently wrote that Jesus came for the sinners and not the righteous and this morning I am reading and writing on the extension of that premise.

“⁷For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— ⁸but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:7-8 (ESV)

I am continuing my study of the word “righteous” and have been in Romans seemingly on the “Roman Road” as it is commonly known to those in evangelism. This morning brought to verse seven in Romans chapter five which leads into verse eight which is the verse on the “Roman Road”. Verse seven speaks to the idea that dying for the righteous or even the good is something that we in this world would likely not undertake. Yes, there are heroic moments in emergency situations where one will risk their life to protect or save others and I do not want to take away from those moments. I will say however that it is not in the nature for someone to actually consciously die for others. Jesus did.

Jesus came to this world with the purpose of providing salvation for all. He first came as the hope for salvation. Then He preached salvation. And finally He died for our salvation. He was not a sinner, yet He took on the sins of all and was gruesomely treated to the point of dying, and other than asking if there would possibly be another way, did not try to get out of it.

Look back at the words of Paul and look at the life and work of Jesus to see who Jesus came for. As I noted before, it is the sick in need of a doctor, not the well. Jesus came for the sinners, not the righteous. Jesus died for me, the sinner. He died for you, the sinner. He died for our neighbor, sinner. Jesus came to die for sinners.

I think that sometimes I forget this as a Christian. As I have been saved by grace and salvation, I may sometimes see that since I have been saved, I am somehow above the fray now and can relax for I am somebody. The reality is that I have to remember that my salvation was a result of Jesus coming for me and I have just accepted Him before others. I have to remember that I am a sinner as are you and as is our neighbor. It is my task to bring the gospel forward to ensure that everyone knows that Jesus came for all of us as sinners. I may have accepted Him sooner, but I am no better and in fact are the same as you and our neighbor, in need of and thankful for the grace of God.

What are your thoughts on who Jesus came for? Are you of the thought that He came for those who are somehow righteous? What if you took on that Jesus came for the sinners like you and me and accepted His grace knowing that He died for us as sinners, not the righteous?

None are Righteous

Jesus was the only person born righteous. All others are not righteous and only have the opportunity to be declared righteous by God. We are born unrighteous and remain unrighteous until that time when God declares us righteous. And that is for all of us as no one is exempt.

“⁹What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, ¹⁰as it is written:

‘None is righteous, no, not one;

¹¹no one understands;

no one seeks for God.

¹²All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;

no one does good,

not even one.’”

— Romans 3:9-12 (ESV)

Paul writes that all are subject to the same. We are all sinners. Jews, Gentiles, Greeks, all of us. And nothing has changed throughout time, except that we have been given the chance to be declared righteous.

“²¹But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²²the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: ²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.” – Romans 3:21-25 (ESV)

All of us start the same and are unrighteous until that time that God declares us righteous. He will declare us righteous when we have given ourselves to Him fully. This is made possible through Jesus and His death on the cross as He took our sin upon Himself for our sake. We all have been given the same opportunity to receive the grace of God through the sacrifice of Jesus and it is up to us to receive and accept that gift.

Even as we have and take advantage of the opportunity to receive and accept the gift of salvation and grace, we are still sinners and not righteous until that time when God declares. We will always be sinners in this world and as such are not righteous. Our only approach should be thanksgiving for the gift of salvation and grace and work everyday to spread the gospel and demonstrating our thanks for and dedications to the repayment for the sacrifice (even as it cannot be repaid).

What are your thoughts on righteousness? Are you somehow righteous based on who you are or what you have done? What if you were to take on that no one, not even you are righteous and can only receive and accept the gift of salvation and grace and work daily to somehow be declared righteous through your actions for the LORD?

God’s Righteous Judgment

Only God can judge and His judgment is righteous.

“⁵But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.” – Romans 2:5 (ESV)

I am not in a position to judge as I am a sinner. I may be a recovering sinner saved by grace through my acceptance of the death of Jesus for me, but I am still a sinner. This disqualifies me from judging others. It is not my place to judge anyway. I am not in the position of being above all. I am only a follower of Christ and a servant to Him.

God is above all things and therefore is the only one in the position to judge. He is righteous and therefore can and does render righteous judgment. He determines those who are righteous from those who are not, and in that determination or judgment, provides what they deserve. For the righteous He provides eternal life and for the other, wrath and fury.

“⁶He will render to each one according to his works: ⁷to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; ⁸but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.” – Romans 2:6-8 (ESV)

God is the one who will judge the person, which is different than what we see here in this world. When someone is brought before a judge for actions done in this world, the judge has been given authority to render a decision on the actions of the person as relates to the law of man, not to judge the person themselves. The law of man is vastly different than the law of God. One may be in line with the law of God, which is above the law of man, yet being in line with the law of God may conflict with the law of man and will be judged accordingly. If the action is against the law of man, then the judge in this world will judge, but God will judge according to the action in relation to His law and will ultimately judge the person.

It is fascinating to me when looking at God’s Word with an open heart for His revelations in me. I am thankful for all of the insight He provides for me and the comfort of those insights. I know that I am cared for by the LORD as I walk this world for Him. I know that I may go against the law of man at times as I do the work of the LORD. He will protect me and judge me on my work for Him and as long as I have done His work, my transgression with the law of man is of no consequence to the righteous judgment of the LORD.

Where are you looking for judgment? Are you looking to be right in the eyes of man? What if you focused your attention on the law of God and sought His righteous judgment?